What’s better than a home-cooked meal? A home-cooked meal with only ONE pot to clean! I love food, but I have a deep, passionate hatred for the mountain of dishes that often comes with it.
If you’re nodding along, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re making a Rustic Ground Beef & Potato Gratin. It’s the ultimate comfort food, much like our Ultimate Ground Beef & Potato Casserole. It’s also the ultimate lazy-cleaner’s dream.
This dish is all about cozy flavors and a simple kitchen. You get creamy potatoes, savory beef, and a golden cheese crust. Best of all, you get your evening back because the cleanup is a breeze.
Recipe Overview
Here’s the quick snapshot of what we’re making. It’s straightforward, satisfying, and designed for real life.
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
- Category: One-Pot Dinner
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 6
The Magic of a One-Pot (or One-Pan) Meal
I judge a recipe by its flavor and its dish count. This one scores high on the first and low on the second. That’s a win in my book.
One-pot cooking means everything happens in a single oven-safe skillet or casserole dish. You brown, you layer, you bake. The flavors meld together perfectly in the oven. If you love this style, you’ll adore our Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Skillet.
When dinner is done, you’re not facing a sink full of pots, pans, and mixing bowls. You have one main dish to wash. That’s the kind of efficiency I can get behind on a busy weeknight.
All You Need (One Pot & These Ingredients)
Gathering your tools and ingredients is half the battle. I keep this list simple and focused on pantry staples.
You need one large, oven-safe skillet or a Dutch oven. A 10-12 inch cast iron or stainless steel skillet is perfect. If you don’t have one, a regular skillet and a 9×13 baking dish will work too.
Rustic Ground Beef & Potato Gratin Recipe
The Full Ingredient List
My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Rustic Ground Beef & Potato Gratin Recipe!
Nutrition Information
The ingredients are humble heroes. We’re talking ground beef, potatoes, onions, and cheese. It’s the kind of meal that feels familiar and deeply satisfying.
The Full Ingredient List
Here is everything you’ll need. I promise, no obscure items here. Check your pantry—you might already have most of this.
- 1 lb lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 works great)
- 2 lbs russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch thick)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps for maximum flavor and minimum mess. The goal is to keep everything moving in one pan.
- Prep First: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Thinly slice your potatoes and dice the onion. Doing this first makes the cooking flow smoothly.
- Brown the Beef: In your large oven-safe skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Build Flavor: Add the diced onion to the beef. Cook for 4-5 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Create the Base: Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream. Stir everything together, scraping up any tasty bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Layer the Potatoes: Arrange the potato slices over the beef mixture. Try to layer them evenly so they cook at the same rate. You can overlap them slightly.
- First Cheese Layer: Sprinkle one cup of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the potatoes.
- Bake Covered: Cover the skillet tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. This steams the potatoes and makes them tender.
- Finish & Brown: Carefully remove the foil. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the gratin sit for 5-10 minutes after baking. This helps it set and makes serving much easier. Garnish with parsley if you like.
Pro-Tips for Perfect One-Pot Cooking
A few small tricks make a big difference. These tips will boost your results and keep things simple.
Use a mandoline slicer for the potatoes. It gives you even, thin slices in seconds. Consistent slices mean even cooking. No one gets a crunchy potato next to a mushy one.
Don’t stir after adding the potatoes. Just layer them and walk away. Let the oven do its work. Stirring will break up the layers and make things messy.
Pick the right size pot. If your skillet is too small, the layers will be too deep and won’t cook through. Too large, and the sauce might dry out. A 10-12 inch diameter is the sweet spot.
Storing & Reheating (Easy!)
This casserole makes fantastic leftovers. The flavors get even better the next day.
Let it cool completely. Then, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months.
To reheat, cover a portion with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until hot. The microwave works in a pinch, but the oven keeps the texture perfect.
Nutrition Notes
This is hearty comfort food. Here’s a basic look at what’s in a serving. For precise counts, use a nutrition calculator with your specific brands.
- Calories: ~450-500
- Protein: ~28g
- Carbohydrates: ~30g
- Fat: ~25g
- Using lean beef and low-fat cheese can adjust these numbers. Adding a side salad is a great way to round out the meal.
Your One-Pot Questions, Answered
Here are answers to the questions I get asked most often about this dish.
Can I use a different type of potato?
Absolutely! Yukon Golds are my favorite for their buttery flavor and creamy texture. Russets work great too and hold their shape well. Avoid very waxy potatoes like red potatoes, as they can stay a bit firm.
What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?
No problem! Just cook the beef and onion in any large skillet. Then, transfer everything to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer the potatoes and cheese on top and bake as directed. You’ll have one extra dish, but it’s still simple.
Can I add other vegetables?
You sure can. This recipe is flexible. Try adding a layer of fresh spinach under the potatoes. Diced carrots or bell peppers cooked with the onion also work well. It’s a great way to use up veggies you have on hand.
And there you have it. A dinner that delivers on every front. It’s packed with flavor, feeds a crowd, and respects your time. The kitchen stays clean, and everyone leaves the table happy.
This rustic gratin is my go-to for easy family dinners. It turns basic ingredients into something special. For another delicious baked option with incredible flavor, try our Garlic Butter Ground Beef & Potato Bake. I hope it becomes a regular in your rotation too.
Enjoy all that flavor (and your clean kitchen!). Let me know how it went by leaving a comment and rating below!
