Casserole with meat and potatoes

A Meat and Potato Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish that's easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd. Here's a classic recipe for a meat and potato casserole:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen peas (or other vegetables like corn or carrots)
• 4 cups potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly (about 1/8-inch thick)
• 1 can (10.5 oz or 300 g) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your choice of cheese)
• 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook the Meat:

   • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
   • Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat. Season with salt, pepper, and dried thyme or rosemary if using.

3. Prepare the Casserole Mixture:

   • In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup with the milk. Stir until smooth. Mix in the frozen peas or other vegetables.

4. Assemble the Casserole:

   • In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, layer half of the sliced potatoes on the bottom. Season with a little salt and pepper.
   • Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly over the potatoes.
   • Pour the soup mixture over the beef.
   • Layer the remaining sliced potatoes on top, overlapping slightly. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Bake:

   • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
   • Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheese on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

6. Garnish and Serve:

   • Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Enjoy your delicious and comforting meat and potato casserole!