Day 24: Beef and Potato Bake

After watching Law and Order: SVU last week, I am amazed that I was able to put ground beef on the table, but Paul remembered this dish of his mom's being really good so I gave it a try.

It covers all the food groups: veggie, meat and starch. It is a one pot meal so easy clean up. But to be honest, the combo did not sound good to me, so I was a little hesitant taking the first bite tonight.

Beef and Potato Bake
1pkg southern style hash browns potatoes(thawed)
3 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 lb ground beef
1 pkg brown gravy mix
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 pkg frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can Durkee French Fried onions

Step 1: Combine potatoes, oil, and pepper in 9x13 glass pan. Firmly press mixture across bottom and up sides of the pan to form a shell. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

Step 2: In skillet, brown beef;drain. Stir in gravy mix, water and garlic salt and bring to a boil.

Step 3: Add in mixed vegetables; reduce heat to medium and cook 5 minutes.

Step 4: Stir in half of the cheese and onions; place in potato shell.

Step 5: Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 15 minutes

Step 6: Sprinkle with remaining cheese and onions and bake 5 minutes longer.

Kitchen Play by Play: I only used one skillet the entire time. Huge bonus, only one dish to clean. The shell did not get brown which concerned me but they were mostly cooked after the first 15 minutes. The beef mixture was really easy to put together and actually smelled really good. I used low fat cheese and, much to my mother's disappoint, low fat meat(93%). I did not measure the cheese or onions. I used 3/4 of a large can of onions. It was a little difficult going in and out of the oven several times especially with the kids running around, but that really was the most difficult part of the whole process.

The finished product

The Verdict:
Nicole- As previously stated, I was not so excited about tasting this dish. I'm not big into ground beef at all and don't care for carrots or peas either. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the tastiness of the dish. It could have used a little more garlic salt, and I would have liked it a little hotter(temperature), but overall was pretty good. The best bites were of course the bites with the fried onions, so next time I'd use the entire can. I will make this again. I give it a 3.5.

Paul-gives it a 4. "Needs a little more seasoning that's its only fault really"

Austin- ate some but not a ton. He did eat all of the green beans out of the casserole though.