Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
1 pound ground beef
Stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic
Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in the diced tomatoes and simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 14.5 ounce canned diced tomatoes
While the beef is simmering, boil the cubed potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
6 medium Yukon Gold potatoes
Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot. Add the milk, melted butter, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy.
1/2 cup milk, 4 tablespoons butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.
2 cups milk
Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until melted and smooth.
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Spread the ground beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the dish. Top with the mashed potatoes, spreading them into an even layer.
1 pound ground beef, 6 medium Yukon Gold potatoes
Pour the cheesy sauce evenly over the potato layer.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your Cheesy Ground Beef Potato Casserole!
