New American Klotski Bake

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the traditional Polish Klotski is transformed into a baked casserole-style dish, which is a common cooking technique in New American cuisine. The original dish typically consists of boiled potatoes, sautéed onions, and ground meat, while the New American version adds a flavorful tomato sauce and melted cheese. The baking process allows the flavors to meld together and creates a deliciously cheesy and comforting dish. We alse have the original recipe for Klotski, so you can check it out.

• 2 pounds (900g) potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced 2 pounds (900g) potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 3g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until caramelized, about 10 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. 3.
   In the same skillet, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat.
4. 4.
   Add the tomato sauce, dried thyme, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the ground beef. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   In a greased baking dish, layer half of the sliced potatoes. Top with half of the caramelized onions and half of the ground beef mixture. Repeat the layers.
6. 6.
   Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
7. 7.
   Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. 8.
   Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Potatoes — Make sure to slice the potatoes thinly and evenly to ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
• Ground beef — Use lean ground beef to reduce the amount of fat in the dish.
• Cheddar cheese — For a more flavorful dish, opt for sharp cheddar cheese.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or crumbled tofu.
• Add a layer of sautéed mushrooms for an extra earthy flavor.
• Serve the New American Klotski Bake with a side of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a creamy contrast.
• Customize the spices to your liking by adding cayenne pepper for some heat or smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the New American Klotski Bake hot, straight from the oven. It pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables.

Presentation advice

To make the dish visually appealing, garnish with fresh parsley before serving. The melted cheese on top should be golden and bubbly.