Looking for a hearty, comforting meal that’s easy to make and sure to please the whole family? This Classic Potato and Ground Beef Casserole is just what you need! Creamy mashed potatoes, savory ground beef, and melted Gouda cheese come together in a deliciously rich oven-baked dish.
Just pop it in the oven and let it work its magic—perfect for busy weeknights or cozy Sunday dinners.

Jump to:
Easy Potato and Ground Beef Casserole with Gouda Cheese
This classic casserole is all about simple ingredients and incredible flavor. The buttery mashed potatoes make a creamy base, while the seasoned ground beef adds depth and richness.
A sprinkle of fresh herbs brings a touch of freshness, and the melted cheese on top creates that irresistible golden crust. Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal prepping for the week, this casserole is a go-to recipe that never disappoints.
What do you require?
Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need. The full list is in the recipe card below, but here are some handy tips:

- Potatoes: Use floury potatoes like Russet, Yukon, Doré, King Edward, or Maris Piper for the best results.
- Butter: Unsalted butter works best.
- Ground beef: You can also use a mix of ground pork and beef, or even ground chicken or turkey..
- Gouda cheese: Gives a nice golden crust. Swap for Gruyère or Emmentaler for a stronger flavor.
- Fresh herbs: Use a mix with fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme.
How to Make in 4 Easy Steps

- Step 1 Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: Peel and cook the potatoes in boiling water for about 20 minutes, until soft. In a saucepan, heat butter and milk until the butter melts. Mash the potatoes and mix in the warm milk-butter mixture for a creamy texture.

- Step 2 Fry the Beef: Fry a finely chopped shallot in melted butter until soft. Add the ground beef and fresh herbs, and cook until browned and fragrant.

- Step 3 Assemble: Spread half of the mashed potatoes in a baking dish. Layer the cooked beef mixture on top.

- Step 4 Bake: Cover with the remaining mashed potatoes and sprinkle with grated Gouda cheese. Preheat the oven to 420 °F (215 °C). Bake the casserole for 30 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
What to Serve with This Casserole?
This dish goes great with:
- A fresh cucumber dill yogurt salad: adds a crisp, refreshing contrast.
- Fried vegetables: Bourbon-glazed Brussels sprouts are perfect.
- Crusty bread: Rye buns are great for soaking up every last bit of flavor.

Did you make this recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram. I enjoy seeing what your creation looks like. Video recipes can be found on my YouTube channel. And don't forget to save the recipes on Pinterest so you can easily find them next time!
📖 Recipe
VIDEO
RECIPE CARD
Ingredients
- 3 pounds potatoes, peeled, sliced in equal parts
- ½ stick butter
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ oz fresh herbs, leaves finely chopped
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup Gouda cheese, grated
- ¼ cup butter, cut into small cubes
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 420 °F.
- Cook the potatoes in a pot of boiling water for about 20 minutes until soft.3 pounds potatoes
- Melt half of the butter in a pan and sauté the shallot until translucent.½ stick butter, 1 shallot
- Add the ground beef and fresh herbs, and fry until the meat is browned.1 pound ground beef, ½ oz fresh herbs
- In a small saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and the milk until the butter is melted.½ cup milk
- Mash the potatoes and mix with the warm milk-butter mixture until smooth.
- Spread half of the mashed potatoes in a baking dish.
- Add the fried ground beef on top.
- Cover with the remaining mashed potatoes.
- Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top and dot with small pieces of butter.½ cup Gouda cheese, ¼ cup butter
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, until golden brown.
Notes
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350 °F (180 °C) until heated through.
Leave a Reply