Description
This Before Payday Casserole is a hearty, budget-friendly comfort food recipe featuring seasoned ground meat, mixed vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes topped with melted cheddar cheese. It’s an easy-to-make, satisfying dish perfect for feeding a family or meal prepping for the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef (ground turkey, chicken, or pork can also be used)
- 1 (28-ounce) can tomato purée
- 1 (about 14.75-ounce) can corn kernels, drained
- 1 (about 14.50-ounce) can green beans, drained
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Mashed Potatoes
- 3 1/3 cups dried potato flakes (or instant mashed potatoes)
- 3 1/3 cups boiling water
- 1/4 cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
Topping
- 2 cups sliced or shredded white or yellow cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 9×9 or 9×13-inch baking dish with baking spray to prevent sticking. Set the dish aside.
- Cook the Meat: In a pan over medium heat, cook the ground meat thoroughly, seasoning it with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Once cooked, transfer the meat to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine Meat and Vegetables: Add the tomato purée, drained corn kernels, and drained green beans to the bowl with the cooked meat. Stir everything together until well combined. Set aside this mixture.
- Prepare Mashed Potatoes: In another large bowl, combine the dried potato flakes with boiling water. Stir in the full-fat sour cream and unsalted butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread the meat and vegetable mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Carefully spread the mashed potato mixture over the top, creating an even layer.
- Bake: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Carefully remove the foil and evenly sprinkle the shredded or sliced cheddar cheese on top of the casserole. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting, filling dish.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork according to preference or dietary needs.
- If you prefer a quicker option, use pre-cooked mashed potatoes instead of making them from flakes and boiling water.
- Feel free to add spices like garlic powder or onion powder to the meat mixture for extra flavor.
- This casserole can be refrigerated and reheated for up to 3 days, making it great for leftovers.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the sour cream and cheese or substitute with vegan alternatives.
