Easy Beef Mince and Potato Bake Gratin Recipe

Name: Easy Beef Mince and Potato Bake Gratin Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 69 min
Total time: 79 min
Ingredients: 1 kg Potatoes (5 medium) ((2.2lb) very thinly sliced (2-3mm a the most)); 500 g Lean beef ((around 1lb)); 1/2 tbsp Olive oil; 1 large Onion (diced); 1 clove Garlic; 1/2 tbsp Tomato puree; 1/2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar (or Worcestershire sauce); Pinch Salt and pepper; Pinch Black pepper; 45 g Butter ((3.5 tbsp)); 35 g Plain flour (all purpose) ((3.5 tbsp)); 600 ml Milk ((2.5 cups)); 220 g Cheddar cheese (Finely grated (8oz / 3 cups)); 1 tbsp Rosemary (dried or fresh); 85 g Garden peas ((3oz))

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This easy beef mince and potato bake is a hearty and comforting meal that's the perfect midweek dinner. With tasty ground beef fried in an onion mixture, it is sandwiched between layers of potato slices, and baked in a herby, creamy cheese sauce.

large serving spoon in a potato mince bake in white and blue enamel baking dish

We think this makes a change from our usual mince and potatoes recipes, like mince and potato hotpot, shepherd's pie, cottage pie, or Scottish mince and tatties.

Instead of the meat being topped with mashed potato and or a single layer of tender potatoes, it is layered at the top and bottom, like a gratin.

Then to finish, we spoon a herby cheese sauce over the potatoes, inspired by French dauphinoise potatoes. It's simple, easy, yet really tasty!

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✔️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
🛒 Ingredient Notes
📋 Instructions
👩‍🍳 Substitutions
⚖️ Variations
🔪 Equipment
❄️ Storage
💡Pro Tips
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
❓ FAQ
➕ More Mince and Potato Recipes
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

✔️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

Here are a few reasons why we think you'll love this minced meat and potato gratin recipe:

Easy to make
Freezer friendly as it makes a big batch
Very filling and great for a hungry family
It's hearty comfort food - perfect for cold days
Budget-friendly, made with simple ingredients
Takes just a few mins preparation with a food processor
No need to cook potatoes in salted water first or on a baking tray
Easy to make Slimming World friendly by following my butterless cheese sauce

🛒 Ingredient Notes

Please see the printable recipe card with exact ingredient quantities, preparation instructions and daily values at the bottom of this post.

labelled ingredients for minced beef with sliced potatoes baked in the oven

All Purpose Potatoes - these are whole potatoes peeled and thinly sliced. This would be better suited in a food processor or a mandoline slicer. If not, thicker slices will need a longer cook time. Or you could prick and microwave for 5 minutes before peeling and preparing

Minced beef - this is the same as ground meat, which we use extra lean beef with 5% or less fat

Olive oil - I only use a little oil to saute the onions and minced garlic

Onion - regular onion, diced to add extra flavour to the dish

Garlic - this is minced from raw garlic for a more complex taste. or you could use 1 teaspoon of garlic paste

Tomato purée - this is tomato paste for a very subtle taste, but you could instead make it more saucy and opt for bolognese sauce or tomato pasta sauce from a jar

Balsamic vinegar - to add a pinch of acidity that is gluten free (providing you also use appropriate flour), or use Worcestershire sauce

Seasoning - this is a little salt and black pepper to taste while you cook beef and the cheese sauce separately

Butter - this it to cook the flour to make a paste for the base of the cheese sauce

Plain/All Purpose Flour - similar to above, it is cooked in the butter to create a roux for a cheese sauce. Any plain flour will work, for example, oat flour for a Gluten Free cheese sauce

Milk - this is whole milk for a tasty, creamy cheese sauce layer. Or you can use skimmed milk if on a low calorie diet

Mature cheddar - any sharp cheese, grated and melted in the bechamel sauce, but hold some back for the topping for a golden brown finish

Rosemary - this is dried, but you could use fresh from a herb garden. Other herbs that work well with beef and cheese are oregano, basil, sage, and thyme

Garden peas - I use a handful of frozen peas, but you could add other vegetables such as diced red bell peppers, mushrooms

📋 Instructions

To prepare your mince and sliced potato bake, start by preheating your oven at gas mark 6, 180c fan, 200c conventional or 400F.

person frying onions and garlic in large frying pan

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan.

Then add the chopped onions and garlic and saute until softened.

person frying minced beef in large frying pan

2. Next, add the minced beef, season well with salt and pepper and fry while stirring until browned.

person mixing in garden peas, balsamic vinegar and tomato paste in a beef mixture in pan

3. Add the frozen peas, tomato puree, and balsamic vinegar to the brown mince and fry for 1 minute over medium-high heat.

If preferred, now is the time to add any tomato sauce and/or a stock cube if you wish and heat through.

Now set aside.

person making a fluor and butter roux in saucepan on hob

4. Next, in a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat.

Then add the flour and keep stirring while cooking until you see no traces of flour left.

person stirring cheese in thick homemade creamy cheese sauce

5. Slowly stir in the milk while stirring over a medium heat.

Keep repeating until you have no milk left and add the rosemary.

Simmer the milk mixture for 4-5 minutes until thickened, then stir in 2 thirds of the cheese until melted.

Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste if needed and set aside.

slices of potato n the bottom of a large baking dish

6. Now that you have a hot oven, grease a large ovenproof dish baking dish around 9x13".

Then line the dish with half of the potato slices.

person spreading cooked beef mince on top of sliced potatoes

7. Next, spread the cooked beef mixture on top of the potatoes, similar to the base of a lasagne-style recipe.

person placing a 2nd layer of potato slices on top of cooked beef layer in baking dish

8. Now top with a second layer of potatoes.

Note: if preferred, you can brush potatoes with extra olive oil.

cheesy sauce topped on a potato and mince bake in large enamel baking dish before covering with boil and baking

9. Pour the herby cheese on top and spread evenly over the potatoes with a spatula.

Then cover dish with tin foil.

Bake the potato casserole in the middle of the oven for 50 minutes.

person sprinkling grated cheddar cheese om top of baked beef and potatoes before baking for a final 20 minutes

10. Remove from the oven and discard the foil.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top (this is about 1 cup cheese, grated).

Then bake your mince potato bake for a final 20 minutes until golden and serve with fresh parsley.

Tip: Before adding the final grated cheese, check your mince dish to see if your slices of potatoes are tender. If not, pop it back in the oven for another 10 mins cooking time and check again.

large black bowlful of beef potato bake with gold fork and garnished with fresh parsley

👩‍🍳 Substitutions

Depending on your dietary needs, here are a few simple swaps you can make to this mince potato recipe:

Beef - swap for 500 gram lamb, pork, chicken or vegetarian quorn mince or cooked lentils for a vegan option if preferred
Potatoes - alternatively, you could swap for sliced sweet potatoes for slightly lower in carbs and doesn't take as long to bake. Or slice new potatoes if preferred for a fresher, sweeter taste
Plain flour - swap for any gluten free option flour, or Xantham gum, cornflour to thicken the cheese sauce
Milk - you can use any plant based milk along with vegetarian mince if preferred. Or make a baked potato with mince and sour cream spread on top
Cheese - swap for a good vegan cheese that melts well

close up of beef mince and potato bake in black Denby Halo bowl with gold fork

⚖️ Variations

Here are a different ways you can enhance and truly personalise this baked potato with mince:

Spicy - you could add your favourite spices such as cumin, chili powder, flakes, paprika. Or add kidney beans for a Mexican twist and stir in a dollop of sour cream into the cheese sauce
Lasagne style - add a tomato bolognese sauce, then layer like a lasagne with meat, potatoes, cheese sauce, top with the remaining meat sauce. Then repeat until you finish with a top layer potatoes and cheesy sauce
Kid friendly - remove the herbs if preferred and serve with chips and ketchup

🔪 Equipment

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❄️ Storage

Storing - we prefer eating this recipe fresh, but it can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Freezing - cool to room temperature and again, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Reheating - If you want to eat the next day, defrost in the fridge if required and microwave until piping hot, or on the hob or stove.

💡Pro Tips

Slowly stir in the milk in the large saucepan to the butter and flour cooked paste to prevent lumps
Before adding the final cheese, check to see if the potatoes are tender - if not, keep baking while covered
Drain any excess fat off the mince mixture after cooking to avoid a greasy dish

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Leafy green salad: serve with a side of salad with crispy lettuce and other vegetables, tossed in a extra virgin olive oil dressing
Bread: with any cheesy sauce left behind, it is great with dipping crusty bread in to soak up any juices
Vegetables: it's also perfect with extra steamed or roasted vegetables for a more colourful and tasty dish
Gravy: serve it as a cheaper alternative to a roast dinner by serving with gravy, horseradish, Yorkshire puddings and extra vegetables

❓ FAQ

What different types of mince meat can I use?

You can use any kind if ground meat you like. It could be pork, chicken, lamb, turkey or vegetarian soy mincemeat.

Can I bake mince and potato in a slow cooker?

Yes, this minced beef with sliced potatoes works great in a slow cooker! Just layer the ingredients as you would in a baking dish. The line the lid with aluminium foil to prevent any moisture escaping.

Can I make this mince hot pot bake ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Then simply reheat it when you are ready to serve. We store in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake on low, or thaw in the fridge overnight and bake it in the oven until piping hot and bubbling.

Can I make this potato and mince dish more healthy?

There are several ways you can make this potato and mince recipe more healthy. For example:
- Make a butterless cheese sauce
- Use cooking spray instead of oil
- Cook with extra lean meat
- Thicken the cheese sauce with oat flour with extra fibre and protein, or Xantham gum for lower carb
- Add more vegetables
- Use top your mince bake with swede slices for a lower carb

How can I speed up the cooking time?

You can leave the skins on the potatoes, then prick and parboil for 5 minutes before peeling and slicing. For new potatoes, steam whole, then slice and top. Or microwave sliced potatoes for 3 minutes and rinse and drain before preparing the dish.

➕ More Mince and Potato Recipes

Looking for similar recipes to this cheesy scalloped potatoes with ground beef recipe? Why not try these:

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