Comforting Ground Beef Casserole (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Meat and Produce

01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 3 cups diced potatoes
05 - 2 cups diced carrots
06 - 1 cup diced celery
07 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

→ Pantry and Dairy

08 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
09 - 1 cup beef broth
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 tsp salt
13 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
14 - 1 tsp dried thyme
15 - 1 tsp dried rosemary

# Instructions:

01 - Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the ingredients. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a plate, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pan.
03 - In the same skillet with the beef drippings, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.
04 - Add the diced potatoes, carrots, and celery to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes to give the vegetables a head start, stirring occasionally so they cook evenly.
05 - Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Stir in the corn kernels, undrained diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Season everything with the salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
06 - Pour the entire mixture into your greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in while baking. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
07 - After 30 minutes, remove the foil and check that the vegetables are tender with a fork. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
08 - Return the uncovered bake to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden around the edges.
09 - Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes serving easier. Spoon onto plates and enjoy!

# Notes:

01 - For a complete meal, serve with a garden salad and garlic bread.
02 - You can substitute ground turkey for a lighter version.
03 - Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.