Pour tomato soup over raw ground beef, together with 3 ingredients, into a deep casserole dish for a hearty dinner that’s the one everyone asks for

This simple Amish-style country casserole is the kind of dish farm wives used to lean on when the day ran long and the family still needed a hot, hearty supper. Everything starts with raw ground beef in a deep casserole dish, then you pour tomato soup right over the top with just three other pantry staples. It bakes up into a cozy, stick-to-your-ribs meal that tastes like something your grandmother might have pulled from the oven after chores, and it’s the one people tend to ask for again and again because it feels like home on a plate.

Serve this casserole piping hot with a green vegetable to balance the richness—steamed green beans, buttered peas, or a simple lettuce salad with a tangy dressing all work nicely. Warm dinner rolls, cornbread, or thick slices of buttered white bread are perfect for soaking up the tomatoey juices. A dish of applesauce or sliced fresh tomatoes on the side adds a bit of brightness, and if you like, finish the meal with something simple and old-fashioned, like vanilla pudding or a slice of pie.

Servings: 6

2 pounds ground beef (80–85% lean)

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a deep 9x13-inch casserole dish or any deep baking dish of similar size.

Crumble the raw ground beef evenly into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish, breaking it up with your fingers so it covers the bottom in a loose, even layer. Do not brown it first; it will cook in the oven.

Sprinkle the thawed diced potatoes O’Brien evenly over the raw ground beef, spreading them out so you get a bit of potato, onion, and pepper in every bite.

In a mixing bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the condensed tomato soup, milk, salt, and black pepper (if using) until smooth and well combined.

Pour the tomato soup mixture slowly and evenly over the raw ground beef and potatoes in the casserole dish, covering the surface so the liquid can seep down through the meat and vegetables.

Use the back of a spoon to gently press down any potatoes that are sticking up above the liquid so they can pick up some of the sauce as it bakes, but do not stir the layers together.

Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil to help the beef cook through and the potatoes become tender without drying out.

Bake, covered, in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Carefully remove the foil, then continue baking uncovered for another 20–25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling around the edges, the beef is cooked through in the center, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after you take it out of the oven so the juices settle and it firms up slightly, making it easier to scoop. Taste and adjust seasoning at the table if needed. Serve warm, spooned into bowls or onto plates.

For a cheesier version, sprinkle 1–2 cups of shredded cheddar or Colby Jack over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking, just until melted and lightly browned. If you don’t have potatoes O’Brien, you can use plain frozen diced potatoes or hash browns and add 1/2 cup finely chopped onion and 1/2 cup chopped green or red bell pepper to mimic that farmhouse flavor. To stretch the casserole for a bigger family, stir 1 cup of uncooked instant rice into the tomato soup mixture before pouring it over the beef and potatoes, then add an extra 1/2 cup of milk and bake until the rice is tender. For a bit of sweetness like many Midwestern cooks enjoy, add 1–2 teaspoons of sugar or a splash of ketchup to the tomato soup mixture. You can also swap part of the ground beef for ground pork or turkey, keeping the same total weight, though beef gives the most traditional taste. Leftovers reheat well; cover and warm in a 325°F oven or gently in the microwave with a splash of milk to keep everything moist.