Jo’s Beef Bake knows what people are here for: the beef! So, it gives it to them. That’s right, juicy, savory, browned beef, wonderfully seasoned and then mixed with creamy, tangy cream cheese to help enhance the beefy flavor. Then it’s topped with more cheese, because beef and cheese just go together. Make no mistake though, beef is the star of Jo’s Beef Bake, and it’s a bright start at that!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds extra-lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 2 tablespoons parsley, optional, chopped, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2 –Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish with olive oil spray.
Step 3 –Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 4 –Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, while crumbling, until the meat is browned, about 5 minutes. Drain the fat from the skillet.
Step 5 –Reduce the heat to medium.
Step 6 –Mix the salt, the pepper, the garlic powder, the onion powder, and the cayenne into the beef.
Step 7 –Slowly mix in the cream cheese until it is fully melted and incorporated into the beef.
Step 8 –Turn off the heat.
Step 9 –Mix 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar into the beef mixture.
Step 10 –Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
Step 11 –Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar on top of the bake.
Step 12 –Bake the casserole until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
Step 13 –Garnish with the parsley and serve.
