Description
Hearty 5-ingredient hamburger & potato casserole brings comfort directly to dinner tables with simple, satisfying ingredients. Layers of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese create a classic midwestern meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef
Starchy Base:
- 4 large potatoes, thinly sliced
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 can 10.75 ounces (305 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, ensuring an even cooking environment for the hearty casserole.
- Transform ground beef into a flavorful base by sautéing in a skillet over medium heat, breaking down the meat and cooking thoroughly for 5-7 minutes. Eliminate excess fat and enhance with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Carefully slice potatoes into thin, uniform pieces, creating a foundational layer across the bottom of a greased rectangular baking dish.
- Distribute the seasoned ground beef evenly atop the potato landscape, creating a robust protein foundation.
- Craft a creamy sauce by whisking cream of mushroom soup with milk until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Gently cascade the soup mixture over the meat and potato layers, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
- Seal the dish with aluminum foil, protecting the ingredients from direct heat and promoting even cooking.
- Bake for one hour, allowing the potatoes to tenderize and flavors to meld harmoniously.
- Remove foil and generously sprinkle cheddar cheese across the surface, returning to the oven for an additional 15 minutes.
- Watch for a golden, bubbling cheese topping that signals the casserole’s perfect completion.
- Allow the dish to rest briefly, permitting flavors to settle and making serving easier and more enjoyable.
Notes
- Select lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier dish without sacrificing flavor.
- Use a mandoline slicer for consistent, thin potato slices that cook evenly and create a more uniform texture.
- Experiment with different potato varieties like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for varied taste and texture profiles.
- Replace cream of mushroom soup with a homemade white sauce or Greek yogurt for a lower-sodium, more nutritious alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg