Simple and Quick Meat and Potatoes Casserole

This satisfying Meat and Potatoes Casserole features ground beef or turkey sauteed with vegetables, covered in potatoes, and smothered with a light, creamy sauce. Bake this ground turkey and potatoes casserole up tonight for a dinner your family will love and impress everyone with the final result! Also, one real benefit of this recipe is its versatility. Not only can you always switch from turkey to ground beef or ground buffalo if you are a red meat lover, but you can also add some extra veggies—a healthy and delicious treat combined together to create a perfect dish.

This dish is also an amazing way to make some room in your fridge! It is perfect to eat with your family and your friends. You might want to try this dish out!

First of all, let’s see where my idea for this Ground Turkey and Potato Casserole recipe came from. Do you like ground turkey shepherd’s pie? Well, I had tried a few recipes and wasn’t impressed. I think that is because most used bland mashed potatoes, and didn’t have enough flavor or texture.

Unfortunately, the versions of ground turkey recipes I’ve had were topped with bland mashed potatoes, which kind of ruined the experience for me. I haven’t thought I was a mashed potato snob till now, but maybe I am. So, yes, if they aren’t smothered in gravy, I think they need to be pretty flavorful on their own.

Ground Turkey Meat and Potatoes Casserole Tips

Yes, this hearty but healthy casserole was inspired by shepherd’s pie. However, I wanted to change up the topping a bit to add more flavor and texture. Therefore, I topped it with frozen diced potatoes, which browned nicely and created a crispy and chewy topping. Also, the casserole is smothered in a creamy sauce, but it’s made with only one tablespoon of butter, so it is actually pretty light.

As I mentioned before, you can make the casserole recipe with ground beef too, if you prefer. Actually, I made it twice this week because I wanted to improve the recipe a bit after the first time. So, I used beef first and ground turkey the second time. All in all, me and my family preferred the ground turkey with potatoes casserole. However, we are poultry lovers, so our opinion is a little subjective.

This isn’t what I would call a quick weeknight dinner. It uses two skillets plus a baking dish and takes over an hour to make, including baking time. However, it’s great for a Sunday dinner or for making ahead if you are home to cook during the day. It will totally worth it, believe me! Even though it takes some extra time and energy, the result is extremely delicious and also good for you! If you don’t like it, you can try our delicious Chinese ground turkey recipe with green beans for another great ground turkey dinner.

Last but not least, I had the one pictured here in the refrigerator which we will reheat as leftovers for tonight’s dinner, and I can’t wait to dig in (again) later. So, I hope you will love this recipe as much as we did!

Modifications and Substitutions for Ground Turkey and Potatoes

This casserole recipe is so flexible that you can really easily adapt it to your personal preferences or what you have on hand. Here are some ideas of ways you can switch things up.

• Switch frozen potatoes for fresh. If you want to use fresh potatoes, just dice them, and soak them in water for about 5 minutes. Then, drain them and dry them on a kitchen towel. That step helps to wash some of the starch off the potatoes, and they will crisp up better in the oven.
• Switch regular potatoes for sweet potatoes. This recipe works great with sweet potatoes. You can either use diced frozen or fresh. Simply swap out the potatoes with sweet potatoes and follow the recipe as is.
• Use tater tots. You can use tater tots as the potatoes for a less healthy but very delicious turkey and potato casserole.
• Season the potatoes and make them extra crispy. For even more flavor you can toss the potatoes, regardless of type, in a little bit of oil and season with a little salt, pepper, and oregano. You can use about 1/2 teaspoon of each. Then pour your cream sauce on the casserole and place the potatoes on last so they are not covered in sauce. This will make the potatoes extra crispy and the ground turkey will have all the yummy sauce.
• Switch up the vegetables. This recipe uses mixed frozen vegetables, but you can use any mix you like.

Ground Turkey and Potatoes Casserole Recipe

Well, the time to start preparing your Ground Turkey and Potato Casserole has finally come! So, good luck, and remember to follow the steps and instructions closely! Have fun!

Simple and Quick Meat and Potatoes Casserole

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This stick-to-your-ribs dinner is actually pretty light and good for you!

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 16–20 oz. ground turkey or beef
• 1/2 onion diced
• 1/2 tsp. oregano
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic minced or crushed
• 2 c. frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, green beans, corn)
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 tbsp. flour
• 1 1/2 c. milk
• 1/2 c. shredded cheese (cheddar monterey jack, or a blend)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 c. sour cream reduced fat is fine
• 32 oz. bag frozen cubed or tri-cut potatoes you will only need about 2/3 of the bag
  

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13″ baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground meat, onion, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often and crumbling the meat, until onions are tender and meat is mostly cooked through. Stir in garlic and vegetables, and continue cooking until vegetables are heated.
3. Meanwhile, in a smaller skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Whisk flour into melted butter until smooth. Stir in milk a small amount at a time, whisking constantly to keep mixture smooth. Bring sauce to a simmer. Turn off heat, and stir in cheese, a pinch of salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Stir sour cream into meat mixture, and spread meat and vegetables into the prepared baking dish. Arrange an even layer of frozen potatoes over the meat, and then pour the cream sauce evenly over the potatoes. Gently jiggle the pan back and forth a few times to allow the sauce to sink into the meat a bit.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 30-45 minutes, until potatoes are browned to your liking.

Notes

If you want to use fresh potatoes, just dice them, and soak them in water for about 5 minutes. Then, drain them and dry them on a kitchen towel. That step helps to wash some of the starch off the potatoes, and they will crisp up better in the oven.

• Author: Andi Gleeson
• Prep Time: 15
• Cook Time: 45
• Category: Casseroles, Dinner
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition Information of Ground Turkey and Potatoes Casserole

Per serving:

Final Thoughts

All in all, that is the recipe and all you need to know about the meat and Potatoes Casserole recipe. So, now, it’s your turn to share your thoughts and advice on this in the comment section below.

Tell us everything: How was the final result of this casserole recipe? Did your family enjoy it? (Also, keep in mind that I appreciate the negative feedback too). Did you need to improvise when it came to the ingredients list? If so, what did you replace and with what?

In addition, please, don’t hesitate to ask any further questions in the comment section too. I am here for you!

Why Will You Love Ground Turkey and Potatoes Casserole Recipe?

• This casserole includes the tastes of comfort food that are sometimes just plain and simple.
• On a chilly day, it acts as a warm blanket, insulating you from the inside out.
• Instead of pasta, this casserole is low in carbs.
• Both straightforward and original.
• As a result, there is a tonne of variations you may attempt with it to alter the flavors to your personal choice.

Storage Tips for Ground Turkey and Potatoes Casserole

1. For 1-2 days, the potato dish can be stored in the refrigerator. Use a container made of glass or plastic that has an airtight lid.
2. For 1-2 months, frozen potato casserole can be kept. Use a lidded container or one that is sealed to prevent moisture buildup during storage. You can also put the dish inside of a baking dish and store it in the freezer.
3. The casserole won’t keep fresh for more than six hours at room temperature.

Last but not least, you’ll also love these stick-to-your-ribs casseroles that are good for you too!