Description
Hearty “savory layered potato and meat bake” delivers pure comfort straight from rustic kitchens. Crispy cheese-crowned layers meld potatoes and seasoned meat into a satisfying meal that promises warmth with each delicious forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 potatoes, cut into small pieces
- 500 grams (1.1 pounds) minced meat
- 8–10 cheese slices
- 150 grams (5.3 ounces) grated cheese
- 3 eggs
Vegetable Ingredients:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- Green onions, chopped for garnish
Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling potatoes)
- 1 teaspoon salt (for meat mixture)
- 1 teaspoon salt (for egg mixture)
- 1 teaspoon dry garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon oregano (for egg mixture)
- Black pepper, to taste
- Water for boiling
- 50 milliliters (1.7 fluid ounces) water
- 125 milliliters (4.2 fluid ounces) milk
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes by boiling them in salted water until fork-tender, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet and sauté chopped onions until translucent, then add minced meat and cook thoroughly for 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate bell peppers, tomato paste, water, and aromatic spices into the meat mixture, stirring to create a rich, flavorful base.
- Grease a baking dish and create a strategic layering: first a bed of cooked potatoes, then spread the seasoned meat mixture evenly.
- Whisk eggs with milk and additional herbs to form a creamy binding liquid that will enhance the casserole’s texture.
- Carefully pour the egg mixture over the layered potatoes and meat, ensuring even distribution throughout the dish.
- Generously scatter grated cheese across the top, creating a golden, crispy surface.
- Transfer the casserole to a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts and turns a beautiful golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with freshly chopped green onions before serving hot.
Notes
- Use waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for better texture and even cooking, preventing them from becoming mushy during baking.
- Drain potatoes thoroughly after boiling to prevent excess water from making the casserole soggy and losing structural integrity.
- Consider adding diced bacon or chorizo to boost umami flavor and provide extra depth to the meat mixture.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version of the dish, maintaining similar protein content and cooking techniques.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg