Hamburger Potato Casserole

There's something about a good casserole that never gets old, especially when it combines ground beef, potatoes and plenty of melted cheese.

For this Hamburger Potato Casserole, I'm taking a few simple ingredients and turning them into a hearty, comforting dinner that can easily feed the whole family.

I start by browning ground beef with diced onions until the meat develops some color and the onions soften. Then I season everything with garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper. Nothing complicated here, just a good combination of seasonings that brings out the flavor of the beef.

Next come the potatoes. I peel and slice them nice and thin because I want them to cook evenly and become tender while they're baking. Those potatoes are going to soak up some of the flavor from the beef and creamy sauce, which is what makes this casserole so good.

For the sauce, I'm keeping things simple with cream of mushroom soup and milk. Once they're mixed together, they create a creamy base that helps keep the potatoes moist while everything bakes.

Then I start building the casserole in layers.

First, a layer of thinly sliced potatoes, followed by the seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce and shredded cheddar cheese. I finish with another layer of potatoes, more sauce and a little butter before covering the dish and letting everything bake.

Once the potatoes are tender, I uncover the casserole and add the remaining cheddar cheese. Back into the oven it goes until the cheese melts into a beautiful golden topping.

And when you cut into it, you get everything in one serving. Tender potatoes, savory ground beef, creamy sauce and melted cheddar cheese holding it all together.

What I really like about this recipe is that you don't need anything fancy to make it. Ground beef, potatoes, cheese and a few pantry staples are all it takes.

It's filling, affordable and perfect for those nights when you want a homemade dinner without having to prepare several different dishes.

This is the kind of comfort food that brings everybody to the table.

Why you'll love this recipe

It's a complete family dinner. You get protein, potatoes and a rich, creamy cheese sauce in one baking dish, making it a satisfying meal without needing several sides.

It's made with simple ingredients. Ground beef, potatoes, onions, cheese and condensed soup are familiar grocery-store staples.

The layers are packed with flavor. As the casserole bakes, the potatoes absorb moisture and flavor from the seasoned beef and creamy sauce.

It's budget-friendly. A pound and a half of ground beef stretches into six to eight servings when combined with potatoes and the other ingredients.

It's great for leftovers. The flavors continue to develop as the casserole rests, and individual portions are easy to reheat for lunch or dinner the next day.

And of course, there's that golden layer of melted cheddar cheese on top, which makes the whole dish even more satisfying.

Recipe variations

• Bacon Cheeseburger Potato Casserole: Add 6 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon to the ground beef and use a combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
• Loaded Baked Potato Casserole: Add sour cream, green onions and bacon for a loaded potato flavor.
• Spicy Hamburger Potato Casserole: Add diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper or a can of diced green chiles.
• Cheesy Ranch Version: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning to the ground beef mixture.
• Mushroom and Swiss Version: Replace the cheddar with Swiss cheese and add sautéed mushrooms.
• Ground Turkey Potato Casserole: Substitute ground turkey for the ground beef for a lighter variation.
• Vegetable Hamburger Casserole: Add cooked bell peppers, mushrooms or spinach between the layers.
• Extra Creamy Version: Add ¼ cup sour cream to the condensed soup mixture.

Hamburger Potato Casserole

This easy Hamburger Potato Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, creamy mushroom sauce and plenty of melted cheddar cheese. Baked until tender and golden, it's a hearty, budget-friendly comfort-food dinner that's perfect for feeding the family.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 1½ pounds ground beef preferably 85/15 or 90/10
• 1 medium yellow onion diced (about 1 cup)
• 6 medium potatoes peeled and thinly sliced (about 2½–3 pounds)
• 1 can 10¾ ounces condensed cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup whole milk
• 2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons salt divided
• 1 teaspoon black pepper divided
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into small pieces
• Nonstick cooking spray or additional butter for greasing the baking dish

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or butter.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1½ pounds ground beef and the diced onion. Cook for approximately 7 to 8 minutes, breaking the beef apart with a wooden spoon until browned and the onions have softened. Drain any excess grease.
• Add the garlic powder, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup and ½ cup milk. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
• Peel the potatoes and slice them into thin, even rounds, approximately ⅛ inch thick. Season the sliced potatoes with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
• Arrange half of the sliced potatoes across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, overlapping them slightly. Spread the cooked ground beef and onion mixture evenly over the potatoes. Pour half of the cream of mushroom soup mixture over the beef. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
• Arrange the remaining sliced potatoes over the cheese. Pour the remaining creamy mushroom sauce evenly across the potatoes. Dot the surface with the 2 tablespoons of butter, cut into small pieces.
• Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake at 375°F for approximately 45 minutes.
• Carefully remove the foil and test the potatoes with a knife. If they're still firm, cover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender. Once the potatoes are tender, sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole.
• Return the casserole to the oven uncovered. Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and lightly golden.
• Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for approximately 10 minutes before slicing. This gives the creamy sauce time to settle and makes the casserole easier to serve.

Video

Recipe Tips

Slice the potatoes thin and evenly.

This is probably the most important part of getting this recipe right.

I recommend slicing the potatoes approximately ⅛ inch thick, preferably using a mandoline slicer for consistency.

If the potatoes are too thick, the cheese and beef may be ready long before the potatoes become tender.

Also, keep the casserole tightly covered with aluminum foil during the first stage of baking. This traps steam and helps soften the potatoes.

One more important tip: Don't rely only on the baking time. Before adding the final layer of cheese, insert a knife into the center of the casserole. It should slide through the potatoes easily. If there's resistance, cover the dish again and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Keyword casserole recipes, hamburger potato casserole, potato casserole, potato recipes

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