If You Have Boxed Potatoes Au Gratin And Ground Beef, You Have The Start Of A Hearty Casserole

Dinners that manage to walk the line of delicious, easy, and inexpensive all at once are priceless. With the average grocery budget as tight as it is these days, it is tough to beat a recipe that calls for little more than a couple boxes from the pantry and a bit of ground meat. There is a simple recipe making the rounds on TikTok right now that is exactly that, requiring just ground beef and potatoes au gratin mix. 

All one needs to do to make it is fry up some ground beef and season it to taste, then follow the package instructions for the potatoes au gratin — boxed scalloped potatoes work, too — mixing in the beef before putting it in the oven. The result is a hearty, comforting casserole, with tender potatoes and rich beef in a creamy sauce. Served alongside a salad or your favorite vegetable, it is a complete meal that scores high for flavor but remarkably low for both cost and effort.

While this simple recipe already has everything that it needs, it can also be seen as more of a starting point than a finished dish. The basics are there, but there is also plenty of room for creative embellishment. Whether that means finding unique ways to add flavor to the scalloped potatoes, trying out interesting additions, or simply making substitutions with what's currently in the kitchen, this recipe is versatile.

Let's start with seasoning to begin personalizing this recipe. Regardless of the variety of the boxed mix, there will already be some seasoning in the sauce, so this should be considered. Those flavors are likely to be relatively run-of-the-mill, though, dominated by ingredients like tangy buttermilk and aromatic alliums. Start to elevate those boxed scalloped potatoes by adding whatever fresh or dried herbs you have on hand and you'll immediately take the dish to the next level. Even something as simple as a touch of garlic powder, a sprinkle of thyme, or a few cranks of black pepper can deliver real depth.

This au gratin casserole recipe is also ripe for other additions. Topping it with a layer of shredded cheese before tossing the dish in the oven gives it a good dose of gooey richness, while mixing cooked greens or broccoli in with the meat can round out the nutritional profile. Speaking of the meat, there's no reason to be limited to ground beef. Another ground meat like turkey, pork, or chicken works just as well, as does just about anything else that might be leftover from a previous meal. Chopped ham is a great savory addition to au gratin and leftover pot roast makes a delicious casserole ingredient as well. With its base of thinly sliced creamy, tender potatoes, this simple, inexpensive recipe is a perfect vessel for all sorts of culinary creativity.

@kaylaboudin

Dinner for $6.21! Its not the healthiest but paired with salad or veggie. Super filling and yummy! All you need: -two boxes of au gratin potato's -ground meat of choice #cheapfood #budgetmoms #strugglefamilies #affordablemeals #easymeals #strugglemeals #momswhostruggle #kaylaboudin #cheapmeals #2ingredientdinner #dinnerunder10dollars Cheap affordable dinner idea

♬ original sound – Kayla Boudin