Cozy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe: Family-Favorite Magic

Hamburger potato casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to dinner tables across countless homes.

Hearty ingredients combine in a delightful symphony of flavors that tantalize taste buds.

Rustic and satisfying, this classic dish converts simple pantry staples into a memorable meal.

Family gatherings buzz with excitement when this casserole emerges from the oven, steaming and golden.

Rich layers of ground meat and tender potatoes create a harmonious blend that feels like a warm embrace.

Creamy textures and savory notes intertwine, making each forkful a celebration of home-style cooking.

Weeknight dinners convert into special moments when you serve this crowd-pleasing comfort food.

What Makes Hamburger Potato Casserole So Comforting

• Comfort Cooking Champion: This hearty casserole delivers ultimate home-style comfort with its rich, satisfying layers of beef, potatoes, and creamy soup that warm you from the inside out.
• One-Dish Wonder: Simplify your cooking process with a single baking dish that combines protein, vegetables, and cheese into a complete meal, minimizing kitchen cleanup and saving precious time.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Crafted with affordable ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and pantry staples, this casserole provides a delicious and economical dinner solution for families on a budget.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easy to adapt with different cheese varieties or added vegetables, making it perfect for picky eaters and flexible meal planning.

Key Ingredients for Hamburger Potato Casserole

• Ground Beef: Lean meat provides the main protein and hearty flavor for the casserole, choose fresh ground beef with minimal fat content.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds rich, creamy texture and sharp flavor to enhance the overall dish, select a good melting cheese.

• Potatoes: Starchy base that creates a comforting layer, use firm potatoes that hold their shape when sliced thin.
• Onion: Provides subtle sweetness and depth of flavor, fresh yellow or white onions work best.

• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates a creamy, binding sauce that adds moisture and rich mushroom flavor.
• Milk: Helps thin the soup and creates a smoother sauce consistency.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the casserole.

How to Make Hamburger Potato Casserole from Scratch

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C) and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Sizzle The Beef

Grab a large skillet and transform the ground beef into crispy, golden crumbles over medium-high heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes until perfectly browned. Drain away the excess grease and set the beef aside.

Step 3: Craft The Creamy Base

• Condensed cream of mushroom soup
• Milk
• Chopped onion
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir until everything becomes a smooth, tantalizing mixture.

Step 4: Build Your Delicious Layers

• Thinly sliced potatoes
• Soup mixture
• Browned ground beef

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and let the magic happen. Bake for 1 to 1½ hours until the potatoes become wonderfully tender.

Step 6: Cheese Finale

Sprinkle a generous handful of shredded Cheddar cheese across the top. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden blanket.

Serve hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement!

Cooking Tips for Hamburger Potato Casserole

• Master Potato Slicing: Cut potatoes uniformly thin to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
• Control Moisture Levels: Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the casserole soggy and maintain a rich, concentrated flavor.
• Enhance Seasoning Depth: Consider adding garlic powder or dried herbs like thyme to elevate the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Prevent Potato Discoloration: Slice potatoes just before assembling the casserole and keep them covered with the soup mixture to avoid browning.
• Achieve Perfect Cheese Topping: Watch the cheese closely during the final baking stage to prevent burning and ensure a golden, melted finish.

Proper Storage for Hamburger Potato Casserole Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled casserole to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is tightly sealed to maintain freshness.
• Freeze: Wrap the casserole securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. For larger servings, reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly and cheese is melted.

What Sides Pair with Hamburger Potato Casserole

• Pair with Crisp Garden Salad: Cut through the richness of the casserole with a fresh, tangy salad featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a light vinaigrette dressing. The crunch and acidity will balance the hearty, creamy dish perfectly.
• Serve with Hoppy Craft Beer: Select a medium-bodied amber ale or IPA that complements the savory beef and cheesy potato layers. The beer's maltiness and slight bitterness will enhance the casserole's robust flavors.
• Cool Down with Creamy Coleslaw: Whip up a classic coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a creamy dressing to provide a cool, crunchy contrast to the warm, comforting casserole. The creamy slaw adds a refreshing texture and taste.
• Enjoy with Robust Red Wine: Uncork a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to match the deep, meaty flavors of the dish. The wine's full-bodied character will stand up to the casserole's rich ingredients and create a delightful dining experience.

Recipe Variations for Hamburger Potato Casserole Fans

• Spicy Southwest Casserole: Replace cream of mushroom soup with cream of jalapeño soup. Add diced green chiles and sprinkle taco seasoning over beef for a zesty kick. Top with pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.
• Mediterranean Lamb Fusion: Swap ground beef for ground lamb. Mix in dried oregano, garlic, and use feta cheese. Replace cream of mushroom soup with a light Greek-style yogurt sauce.
• Vegetarian Garden Blend: Substitute ground beef with plant-based meat crumbles or sautéed mushrooms and lentils. Use vegetable broth instead of milk. Add roasted bell peppers and spinach for extra nutrition and color.
• Bacon Loaded Potato Bake: Crisp chopped bacon and mix into the beef layer. Stir sour cream into the soup mixture for extra richness. Garnish with fresh chives and additional crispy bacon bits on top.

Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Hamburger Potato Casserole brings comfort straight from midwestern kitchens, layering ground beef, crispy potatoes, and melted cheese into one satisfying family meal. Cheesy, savory goodness promises to delight everyone at the dinner table with its classic homestyle charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded Cheddar cheese
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) milk
• 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 3 cups (about 450 grams) peeled and thinly sliced potatoes
• ½ cup (75 grams) chopped onion
• Salt to taste
• Ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking the casserole.
2. Sizzle the ground beef in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small fragments until it transforms into a rich, golden-brown color. Eliminate excess fat by draining thoroughly.
3. Craft a creamy base by whisking together the condensed mushroom soup with milk, incorporating finely diced onions, and seasoning with salt and pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
4. Construct the casserole in layers, beginning with a foundation of thinly mandolined potatoes, generously coating each stratum with the velvety soup mixture and evenly distributing the seasoned beef throughout the baking dish.
5. Slide the assembled casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to simmer and meld flavors for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The potatoes should become fork-tender and develop a golden, slightly crisp exterior.
6. During the final moments of cooking, cascade shredded Cheddar cheese across the surface, returning the dish to the oven until the cheese melts into a luxurious, bubbling blanket.
7. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest briefly, allowing the layers to settle and intensify in flavor before serving.

Notes

• Make this hearty casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for easy meal prep during busy weeknights.
• Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a unique flavor twist.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg