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Potato and Ground Beef Gratin

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 cups milk
  • 3 cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese (12 oz)
  • 6 medium white potatoes (2 1/2 lb), peeled, thinly sliced (6 cups)

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef, salt and pepper over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain.
  3. Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion; cook about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in flour. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in thyme.
  4. Stir milk into onion mixture. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in 2 cups of the cheese until melted.
  5. Spread half of the potatoes in baking dish. Top with beef; spread remaining potatoes over beef. Pour cheese sauce over potatoes.
  6. Cover with foil; bake 45 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese over potatoes. Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes longer or until top is brown and bubbly and potatoes are tender. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.