We all have those days when it feels like everything that could go wrong, does. Right? Those kinds of days stink, but the good thing about them is that things can only go up from there! SOS Casserole is the positively scrumptious feast you need after feeling like the sky is falling. This creamy, meaty gravy-like bake, covered in perfectly toasted and deliciously buttery breadcrumbs is sure to turn your frown upside down. It gets even better! SOS Casserole is ready in less than thirty minutes, so you can kick back, relax, and unwind from a crazy day. Better and yummier days are ahead; you can count on that!
Ingredients
For the gravy:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, plus more to taste
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk, divided
For the topping:
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 10 cups bread cubes, thicker bread is preferred
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 2 –In a large skillet, add the beef and season to taste with the salt and the pepper; cook the beef while crumbling until the meat is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3 –Drain the excess grease from the skillet, pouring the meat into a colander.
Step 4 –In the same skillet, melt 1/2 cup of the butter.
Step 5 –Add the flour to the melted butter mixture, whisking for 1 minute.
Step 6 –Add 2 cups of the milk to the butter mixture, cooking and whisking constantly until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 7 –Add the remaining milk, the cooked beef, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper to the butter mixture until it has almost reached your preferred thickness of gravy, about 5 minutes. The mixture will continue to thicken as it bakes.
Step 8 –Pour the meat mixture into a 13×9-inch, 3-quart baking dish.
Step 9 –In a large bowl, drizzle the remaining 1/2 of melted butter over the bread crumbs, gently tossing to combine.
Step 10 –Arrange the butter-coated bread cubes over the casserole.
Step 11 –Bake, uncovered, until the bread cubes are golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 12 –Seve immediately.
