Ground Beef and Potato Casserole (Sour Cream and Cream)

hamburgerpotatotcasserolesourcream This creamy hamburger and potato dinner is the perfect marriage of ingredients. Ground beef is simmered with onions and baked with potatoes in a rich silky combination of sour cream and half-and-half, topped with mozzarella cheese.

1½ lbs ground beef
1 small onion, diced
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour, unbleached
1½ cups half-and-half cream or whole milk
1½ cups beef broth
1½ tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper, freshly cracked
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
⅓ cup sour cream
2 lbs russet potatoes, sliced into 14" discs
1 cup mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C/170°C fan, Gas Mark 5). Grease a 9x13" baking dish with butter.

Brown ground beef with onion in a large pan until the onion has softened and there is no more pink left in the meat. Drain the hamburger meat and set aside.

In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add flour and combine into a paste. Cook stirring constantly for one minute.

Add the half-and-half and beef broth. Whisk together and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, onion power and garlic powder.

Add the ground beef mixture and sour cream into sauce.

Slice the potatoes into thin slices about ¼". You can peel the potatoes or leave the potato skin on. A mandolin is a great tool to use to speed up the process.

In a prepared baking pan layer half of the potatoes in the bottom of the pan. Pour half of the sauce over the potatoes and sprinkle half of the cheese over the sauce. Repeat with the rest of the potatoes, meat mixture and cheese.

Bake covered for 1 hour. Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese begins to brown. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

Cook's Notes:

Make sure to thinly slice the potatoes and try to get them the same size so they cook at the same pace.
To prevent the potatoes from browning cut while the sauce is cooking or cover them in water until you are ready to put the casserole together.
Top with your favourite hot sauce for a touch of spice.
For that extra zip of flavour add a touch of Worcestershire sauce or Dijon mustard to the ground beef mixture.
Test to be sure the potatoes are cooked through and tender. Cook time may vary depending on how thick you cut the potatoes.