Ground Beef Potato Casserole

Sauteed ground beef and roasted potatoes slices are layered and baked with a custardy egg mixture. This is my take on the classic Libyan dish Mubattan Kusha. This layered beef potato casserole is so simple and easy you are going to love making over and over. Packed with flavor this is a great dish to make when you need to entertain.

A couple of years ago I happened to be at a middle eastern restaurant with some friends, and I tasted a dish similar to this. It was layered with meat and potatoes, had the rich aroma of middle eastern spices and looked pretty on the table.
While some of us enjoyed it very much,  some found the flavors too loud because the cumin thought very smoky if used too much can be overwhelming.

I loved the concept of layered meat and potatoes, but I couldn't remember its name. So I created my version sometime using beef, lamb or even Turkey. This is initially a Libyan dish - Mubattan kasha. There are tons of very different variations on the internet that you can try.

I think you will LOVE this version of beef potato casserole because it has a mild flavor of spices. it's simple easy and a perfect make-ahead dish too!

This is the shepherd's pie of the Middle East

Often this dish is referred to as middle eastern Shepherd's Pie because it has the same concept of meat and potatoes. BUT it's similar in theory, not in taste or texture.

• If you see my Shepherd's Pie recipe you will see it's mashed potatoes with ground meat but the seasoning is very different. It has Worcestershire sauce, veggies, cheese. The outcome is a very saucy meat casserole that bubbling with meat sauce below perfectly mashed potatoes.
• In this Beef Potato Casserole - the potato layers are baked, so they hold their shape. The meat is not a sauce but fairly dry. The egg mixture brings this dish together. The recipe is moist layers of meat and potatoes.

I think they are both fantastic dishes on their own and yet very different and unique. Honestly, you should try both. If you love meat casseroles? You must give these a try.

About this recipe

The recipe looks like it has a lot to do but almost everything that can be made ahead of time. There are three components to this dish.

1. The ground meat mixture which takes about 15 minutes to make and can be made up to 2 days ahead of time
2. The baked potato slices - this can be done ahead of time and kept well wrapped in the fridge. The slices do not take long to bake about 15 minutes.
3. The custard mixture or egg mixture - this needs to be done just before assembly and takes only 5 minutes to prepare.
4. Final assembly and baking - once everything is ready all you need to do is layer the two components, pour the custard mixture over and bake until set - baking takes about 25 minutes.

So you see, this is a great dish to make ahead and bake just before your guest arrives. It smells wonderful so works great to get your guest to build their appetite (and boast of your excellent cooking)

Ingredients and substitutes

• Meat - today I am using beef. I have tried it with lamb and turkey as well. Since you can cook the meat ahead, any mincemeat will work, even chicken !!
• Potatoes - I use red Russet potatoes. I think they are perfect for baking. They do hold their shape well, so they make fantastic layers.
• Spices - Here I am using cumin, cinnamon, and paprika which are very traditional middle eastern flavors. You can use more or less to suit your taste. If you do not have these on hand use any premix middle eastern spice mix. One tablespoon would be just right.
• Parsley - A very middle eastern herb but you are free to switch with one that's more appealing to you.

Step by step instructions (Pin)

Prepare ground meat

• In a cast-iron or heavy bottom saute pan brown the mincemeat without any oil.
• Break it up and stir often on medium-high until all the water has evaporated.
• Remove the ground meat from the pan and set aside.
• To the same pan - add 2 tablespoon olive oil - saute the onion on medium until translucent.
• Add ginger and garlic - cook another minute
• Next, add the spices and tomatoes - saute another minute
• Add the ground meat back in the pan
• Season with salt and pepper - Stir well and cook on medium for five minutes.
• Lastly, add lemon juice and parsley - stir well
• Remove from heat and keep warm.

Bake the potatoes

• Preheat oven to 200 C / 390 F.
• Clean, wash and peel the potatoes.
• Cut them into round slices about ⅛ inch thick. Not to thick but not paper thin either.
• Place them in a bowl, add olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
• Layer the potato slices in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• Place in a preheated oven and cook for about 15 minutes, turning them once.
• When all potatoes are baked - remove and keep warm.

Prepare custard mixture - egg mixture

• In a bowl, break the eggs.
• Stir in the milk, salt, and pepper.
• Use a whisk and mix in the flour evenly.
• Set aside.

Assemble & bake

• Reduce the oven temperature to 180 C/ 360 F.
• Use an oven-safe baking dish - baking pan.
• Spray the pan with cooking oil.
• Divide the potatoes into three and meat into two (approximately).
• Layer one batch of potatoes in an even layer overlapping each other.
• Spoon one portion of the meat mixture. Use the back of a spoon to spread evenly.
• Layer the second portion of potatoes and meat mixture followed by the third layer if you have more.
• The number of layers will depend on the quantity and portions you make of the potato slice and meat mix.
• Pour the egg mixture over the meat and potato layers.
• Sprinkle breadcrumbs on the top for a beautiful brown crisp skin.
• Bake in a preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the egg mixture is set.
• You want a beautifully crisp skin on top, and if you insert the toothpick, it should come out clean without any traces of egg mixture.

Frequently asked questions

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Ground Beef Potato Casserole

Author: Veena Azmanov

5 from 15 votes

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Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Calories: 640kcal

Adjust Servings Here: 8 servings

Description

A delicious and pretty meat casserole is perfect for entertaining. The Layered beef potato casserole is a simple and easy make-ahead dish that can be baked just before your guest arrives or baked just before dinner on busy weeknights. 

Video

Conversions Used

1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

Potato Layer

• ▢ 2 lbs (1 kg) Potatoes (large)
• ▢ 2 tablespoon Olive oil
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Black Pepper

Ground Beef Mixture

• ▢ 1 lb (500 g) Ground beef
• ▢ 2 tablespoon Olive oil (plus more for pan)
• ▢ ½ cup Onion (finely chopped)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Garlic (minced)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Ginger (grated)
• ▢ ½ cup Parsley (chopped)
• ▢ ½ cup Tomato (seeds removed and chopped)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Sweet paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Cumin
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
• ▢ 2 tablespoon Lemon juice

Custard Mixture

• ▢ 4 Eggs (large)
• ▢ ½ cup (120 ml) Milk
• ▢ 4 tablespoon All-purpose flour
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Black pepper

For the crust

• ▢ 2 tablespoon Breadcrumbs

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Instructions

Ground meat

• In a cast-iron or heavy bottom saute pan brown the mincemeat without any oil.
• Break it up and stir often on medium-high until all the water has evaporated.
• Remove the ground meat from the pan and set aside.
• To the same pan – add 2 tablespoon olive oil – saute the onion on medium until translucent.
• Add ginger and garlic – cook another minute
• Next, add the spices and tomatoes – saute another minute
• Add the ground meat back in the pan
• Season with salt and pepper – Stir well and cook on medium for five minutes.
• Lastly, add lemon juice and parsley – stir well
• Remove from heat and keep warm.

Potatoes

• Preheat oven to 200 C / 400 F
• Clean, wash and peel the potatoes
• Cut them into round slices about ⅛ inch thick. Not to thick but not paper thin either.
• Place them in a bowl, add olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
• Layer the potato slices in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• Place in a preheated oven and cook for about 15 minutes. turning them once
• When all potatoes are baked – remove and keep warm.

Custard/Egg mixture

• In a bowl break the eggs,
• Stir in the milk, salt, pepper
• Use a whisk and mix in the flour evenly.
• Set aside.

Assemble & Bake

• Reduce the oven temperature to 180 C/360 F.
• Use an oven-safe baking dish – baking pan
• Spray the pan with cooking oil
• Divide the potatoes into three and meat into two (approximately)
• Layer one batch of potatoes in an even layer overlapping each other.
• Spoon one portion of the meat mixture. Use the back of a spoon to spread evenly.
• Layer the second portion of potatoes and meat mixture followed by the third layer if you have more.
• The number of layers will depend on the quantity and portions you make of the potato slice and meat mix.
• Pour the egg mixture over the meat and potato layers
• Sprinkle breadcrumbs on the top for a beautiful brown crisp skin
• Bake in a preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the egg mixture is set.
• You want a beautifully crisp skin on top, and if you insert the toothpick, it should come out clean without any traces of egg mixture.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 640- kcalCarbohydrates: 50- gProtein: 33- gFat: 35- gSaturated Fat: 10- gPolyunsaturated Fat: 24- gMonounsaturated Fat: 0- gTrans Fat: 1- gCholesterol: 235- mgSodium: 570- mgPotassium: 0- mgFiber: 7- gSugar: 6- gVitamin A: 0- IUVitamin C: 0- mgCalcium: 0- mgIron: 0- mg

The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you

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