Comfort Essentials Cheesy Beef Hash Brown Bake Recipes

COMFORT ESSENTIALS: CHEESY BEEF & HASH BROWN BAKE

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
• 3. Add the ground beef to a skillet, over medium heat.
• 4. While the beef is cooking, break it up using a wooden spoon.
• 5. When the beef is cooked, remove from pan, and drain on paper towels.
• 6. Add the grapeseed oil to the pan, and then add the onions.
• 7. Cook until they soften, and begin to lightly brown, 3 - 5 minutes.
• 8. Remove from the pan, and add to the reserved ground beef.
• 9. Add the butter to the pan.
• 10. When the foaming subsides, add the flour, and stir to make a blonde roux.
• 11. Add the milk, and allow the mixture to simmer until it thickens, 3 - 5 minutes.
• 12. Chef's Note: At this time, season the sauce with some salt, pepper, and cayenne, to taste.
• 13. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool for 20 minutes.
• 14. Place a rack in the upper-middle position, and preheat the oven to 350f (175c).
• 15. Return the reserved onions, and beef to the pan and stir to combine.
• 16. Add the hash browns, and incorporate them into the mixture.
• 17. Add the cheese and gently fold into the other ingredients.
• 18. Chef's Note: The cheese is up to you... I use a combination of sharp white cheddar, and pepper jack... Have some fun with it.
• 19. OPTIONAL TOPPING
• 20. Combine the dry ingredients with the melted butter, and sprinkle over the top before baking... So yummy.
• 21. Chef's Note: The topping gives the dish a little bit of a crunchy bite. Make the topping as spicy as you dare. In the colder months, I will add a bit of cayenne, white pepper, and even some red pepper flakes. In the warmer months, I have a tendency to be a bit more conservative. But that is just me.
• 22. BAKING THE DISH
• 23. You have several options here: 1. Rustic 1: Leave it in the skillet, and bake it. This makes it a truly one-dish recipe. Just make sure that your guests know that the pan is hot, hot, hot. 2. Rustic 2: You could use a glass baking dish, and bring it to the table. This method works well, when the skillet you used to cook the recipe is way too big. 3. Elegant: Serve it in individual ovenproof dishes. It is up to you... Chef's prerogative.
• 24. Chef's Tip: If you choose to serve it up in individual dishes, understand that you can freeze them, and when needed, defrost and bake.
• 25. Place into the preheated oven, and bake until the cheese is bubbly, and beginning to brown, 35 - 40 minutes.
• 26. PLATE/PRESENT
• 27. Let rest for a few minutes, and then serve it to your waiting guests. Enjoy.
• 28. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.