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.
Hey Kevin, picked up this recipe on food gawker and making it right now. Questions: Doesn’t say when to add the garlic powder, so I added it when sautéing the beef. Also, you don’t have water listed on your recipe, and you’re doubling the amount of milk that’s on the box for the scalloped potatoes, so I’m assuming I use the 2/3 c. milk you list and the 2 1/4 c. water the box listed. Also, you say to add only 1 T. butter, the box says 2., but I’m following your instructions and hope it doesn’t turn out too soupy! Wish me luck!
Hi Jane. How did it turn out for you?
Basically it’s just following the same directions on the back of the scalloped potato box (at least the Betty Crockers Scalloped Potato box). I have updated the recipe instructions for more clarity, thanks for the tip.
Thanks for stopping by and letting me know.
Thanks for fixing the recipe. Mine turned out ok…wish I had the the corrections before I made it! But still was tasty…
You’re welcome Jane and I REALLY appreciate you letting me know. Cheers!
I adore marsala, so this is something I’d be all over. Even in this tropical heat!
It’s such a wonderful flavor note to an otherwise unsuspecting dish. Love it too! Thanks John!
Oh, the what’s in the pantry game…I know that one quite well. In fact, it usually becomes a what’s in the pantry combined with what leftovers are in the fridge game. But it looks like you won this game…seriously! Those potatoes. Yum!! You are welcome to come over and create anything you want out of my pantry. This sounds like my kind of comfort food! 🙂
This is always a good one, love that marsala flavor with the rich cheese and potatoes. Winner for sure. 🙂
Made this last night – it was delicious – my favorite kind of comfort food! Leftovers for my lunch today. My only note is that the scalloped potatoes seasoning packet was saltier than I expected, probably put the dish on the verge of being too salty. Just something for me to remember for next time, I’m sure each brand would be different.
Thanks for the great recipe!
Oh my goodness Kevin, your photos are leaving me incredibly hungry! This looks amazing! It’s something my husband would totally love. Can’t wait to try it!!
Thanks Mary Ann, this has comfort food written all over it, right? 🙂
Kevin! Would you please open a food truck and drive to it Chicago? This dish looks so delicious! it looks like something that would put all other comfort foods to shame. I’m instantly craving it.
Ha! I love it Jeff! I think a food truck would be interesting. Though if I lived there I’d simply have you guys over for a nice dinner. 😉
Hey Kevin. I really like the use of marsala wine in this. I always have a bottle on hand for cooking. I’ll have to pick up a box of scalloped potatoes my next trip to the store. This has comfort written all over it.
Marsala is probably in my top two for cooking with, such a rich flavor. Served with a side salad this really hit the spot. Thanks Dorothy!
My mouth is watering just looking at this. I know my family would love it and I love the shortcut potatoes!
Thanks Karen! They come in handy every now and then and it’s easy to bump them up in flavor with more cheese. 😉
I feel ya, Kevin! I often do that do – the ‘what’s in the fridge?’ or ‘what’s in the pantry’ game. I’ve been trying to be more mindful of the items we have on hand and use those up before buying more. Waste not, want not, right? And, trying to eat the leftovers, which we are pretty good at 🙂 This looks SO good to me right now. There’s no going wrong with all the delicious flavours you have goin’ on and I wanna dive right into that casserole. Love that you use the boxed scallop potatoes – so convenient for weeknight meals. Pinning! Hope you’re having a great week!
Thanks Dawn, definitely feeling better and just finished shooting a video! Every now and then those boxed items save me! 🙂
Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, I love this recipe, not only is easy, but it seems like something luscious and flavorful. I just love it! and will have to try it home soon! have a great day!
Thanks Gaila, it is a savory and comforting dish. Hope you enjoy!