Beef Marsala and Scalloped Potato Casserole
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Whether you need a rib sticking meal made in minutes, or you need to feed a meat and potatoes kind of crowd, this Beef Marsala and Scalloped Potato Casserole is always a win! Comfort food with an amazing flavorful twist.
This Beef Marsala and Scalloped Potato Casserole uses browned, ground beef in a savory, delicious marsala wine sauce all layered with cheddar cheese and tender scalloped potatoes.
If you need a meal in minutes then this is for you. Made with items I’m sure most of you have on hand and easy enough to put together, it’s a winner when short on time and wanting a tasty meal.
I sauté an onion and add the ground beef to a skillet, deglaze the pan with a bit of marsala wine, sprinkle flour on and cook for a bit. Then add beef broth and you’re set. Pour into a casserole dish coated with cooking spray and add the cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the scalloped potatoes on top and pour the milk and water over all. In the oven for 20 minutes and you’re feeding the family. To grateful applause, too.
There are a few pantry items I keep around (scalloped potatoes) for days where I don’t feel like making something from scratch. All you need to do is bump them up a little to elevate and make them better.
This may seem like a simple meal, but with the marsala wine sauce addition, it’s taken up a notch in the flavor department. I love the flavor of the marsala wine, a rich and somewhat sweet flavor that mixes well with beef or chicken. You can get it either sweet or dry like in my Apricot Baked Chicken or this amazing Plantation Pulled Pork with Orange Sauce.
As the base for this dish, the beef marsala was perfect for the sharp cheddar cheese that topped it and the beautifully caramelized scalloped potatoes.
A hearty, rib sticking meal that is comforting and delicious. Enjoy!
This recipe was first published here on Kevin Is Cooking March 2017 and has been updated with new photos and video.
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Beef Marsala and Scalloped Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium brown onion chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- pinch of salt
- pinch of ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sweet marsala wine (See Note 1)
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 4.7 oz box of scalloped potatoes (See Note 2)
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 tbsp butter
- parsley for garnish chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. In a large skillet over medium high heat add the oil and sauté the onion for 3 minutes. Add the ground beef, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Break up the ground beef with a spoon and brown for several minutes.
- Deglaze the pan with the marsala wine and reduce to half. Sprinkle the flour on top of meat and stir. Cook for 2 minutes and then add beef broth. Stir as sauce will thicken. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour meat mixture into a 9×9″ casserole dish (or 2 smaller individual ones as pictured) coated with cooking spray and add the cheddar cheese on top.
- In a small bowl whisk together the milk, water, butter and sauce mix from scalloped potato box.
- Sprinkle the scalloped potatoes on top of cheddar cheese and meat and evenly pour the milk mixture over all. Bake for 20 minutes uncovered or until top is golden brown and edges crispy. Allow to rest 10 minutes (sauce will thicken upon standing) and top with parsley for garnish (optional) and serve.
Video
Notes
- Marsala wine substitute: It’s possible to make 1/4 cup of substitute by mixing 1/4 cup of dry white wine with 1 teaspoon of brandy. If you have sherry and sweet vermouth,  mix 1/8 a cup of each to make 1/4 cup of Marsala substitute. Also due to their similarities, both Madeira and port can be used as a substitute.
- If not using boxed Scalloped Potatoes: slice thin 1 large or 2 medium potatoes. In a large saucepan combine the sliced potatoes, 1 tablespoon of butter and enough milk to cover. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stir and cook 8 minutes. Layer the simmered potatoes on top of the cheddar cheese and meat mixture. Combine 1 tablespoon of melted butter, 1/3 cup of  milk and seasoning of choice in lieu of packaged spice packet, add some more cheese if you like. Pour over all. Bake for 20 minutes uncovered or until top is golden brown and edges crispy.Â
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I made this for the 1st time months ago and we love it – it’s part of our regular rotation now especially when I am running late from work – so quick to get a hot tasty meal on the table!
I am so glad it is a regular! I love reading that!
Absolutely delicious! Very easy to make.
Thanks Susie, always hits the spot!
Hi Kevin, I came across this recipe and I can’t wait to try it. However, I will be cooking the potatoes myself rather than using the box version. When comparing the amount of liquid in the box version, you have 2 cups of boiling water mixed in with 1/3 cup milk and butter, yet your directions for the cooked potatoes you say to just combine 1/3 milk and butter. There doesn’t seem to be quite enough liquid to pour over everything than there is with the boxed version. Should I be adding 2 cups of boiling water with the milk and butter for cooked version as well or should I use the milk that the potatoes were boiling in instead?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx.
Hi there Kazy! See the Notes section and #2 to get the info or read here: If not using boxed Scalloped Potatoes: slice thin 1 large or 2 medium potatoes. In a large saucepan combine the sliced potatoes, 1 tablespoon of butter and enough milk to cover. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stir and cook 8 minutes. Layer the simmered potatoes on top of the cheddar cheese and meat mixture. Combine 1 tablespoon of melted butter, 1/3 cup of milk and seasoning of choice in lieu of packaged spice packet, add some more cheese if you like. Pour over all. Bake for 20 minutes uncovered or until top is golden brown and edges crispy. Hope this helps!
I’m sorry but that still didn’t answer my question. You just repeated what’s already in the recipe that I read and questioned initially.
What I wanted to know is why the liquid in the boxed version is way more than the liquid required in the freshly cooked potatoes? Is that an error OR is it because the hydrated potatoes NEEDS more liquid in order to be re-hydated and the freshly cooked potatoes DON’T need that much liquid?
Also, what becomes of all the milk I used to cook the fresh potatoes? Should I discard it?
To answer your questions: OR is it because the hydrated potatoes NEEDS more liquid in order to be re-hydated and the freshly cooked potatoes DON’T need that much liquid? – YES and you’ll be using 1/3 cup of the milk used to cook the potatoes and discard the remaining.
Hi I would like to make this but there is no alcohol in this house. Is there anything else I can use?
It’s kind of the main ingredient and the alcohol does burn off, but that’s up to you Gerald.
I am a couple of years late responding but you can sub about 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar & 1/4 cup red whine vinegar.