*Ingredients:
°5 large russet potatoes, peeled and sliced about 1/4-1/2 inch thick
°2-3 tsp onions
°1 lb ground beef (really lean is best)
°salt and pepper
°Cheese sauce (the same I use for macaroni and cheese)
°2 cups milk (I use skim milk)
°3 tablespoons of butter
°3 tablespoons of flour
°1/2 teaspoon of salt
°1/2 teaspoon of pepper
°8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
°ketchup (optional condiment)
* Directions:
1. I use a covered 2 1/2 quart saucepan for this. It will stick unless you have a large non-stick baking dish.
2. Preheat the oven to 350.
3.Brown burger and onion.
4.Place a layer of sliced potatoes in a casserole dish, cover with half of the hamburger/onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste (it kind of depends on how salty your cheese sauce is - you can always salt it later if it needs it).
5.Repeat layer potato slices and hamburger mix (and season with salt and pepper if desired).
6.Making cheese sauce:.
7. Melt 3 T butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
8.Add 3 T of flour, salt and pepper. Stir quickly to mix.
9.Add 2 cups of milk; stir with a whisk to incorporate the butter/flour mixture.
10.Reduce heat, stir until thickened and bubbling.
11.Remove from the heat and add the grated cheddar. Stir until the cheese melts.
12.Pour cheese sauce over burger and potatoes in baking dish. Push around to leave the cheese sauce in all the crevices of the potatoes so that they are well coated.
13.Cover and put in the oven. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown. I like to take the lid off for the last 20 minutes or so to brown the top a bit.
14. Even with the leanest ground beef, it can create little puddles of fat on top – I just spoon them out. That doesn't mean it's all greasy – just cheesy.
15. My family members consider generous amounts of ketchup a necessary addition to this dish. I like it on its own (ok, maybe a ketchup stain on the side).
Enjoy !
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