Easy Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe That Wows Every Time

Whipping up a hearty hamburger and potato casserole takes comfort food to delicious new heights.

Family dinners demand something simple yet satisfying.

Rustic ingredients combine to create a memorable meal that everyone will devour.

Weeknight cooking becomes effortless with minimal prep and maximum flavor.

Savory ground beef nestled between tender potato layers promises a crowd-pleasing experience.

Minimal dishes and quick assembly mean you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying each delectable bite.

This no-fuss casserole will become your go-to recipe for instant dinner happiness.

Why Hamburger & Potato Casserole Works

Whip Up Comfort: A Hearty Family Meal That Delights

• Simplify Cooking: Requires only five ingredients, making meal preparation a breeze for busy home cooks with minimal kitchen skills.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses affordable staples like ground beef, potatoes, and cheese, delivering maximum flavor without breaking the bank.
• Crowd-Pleasing Goodness: Creates a satisfying one-dish meal that appeals to all ages, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings with friends.
• Minimal Cleanup Hero: Uses a single baking dish and skillet, reducing kitchen mess and saving precious time on dishwashing after a delicious meal.

Ingredients for Hamburger Casserole

• Ground Beef: Classic lean meat packed with rich flavor.

• Potatoes: Starchy, hearty vegetable perfect for layering in casserole.

• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: Smooth, creamy sauce for binding ingredients.
• Milk: Helps create a rich, velvety texture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty topping for extra deliciousness.

• Salt, Pepper: Simple seasonings for enhancing overall taste.

• Aluminum Foil: Covers casserole during initial baking to retain moisture.

Hamburger Casserole Instructions

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F, getting it ready for a delicious comfort meal that’ll make everyone smile.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Grab a skillet and cook the ground beef over medium heat.

Break it into tasty crumbles while it sizzles.

Drain off any extra fat and sprinkle with salt and pepper for extra flavor.

Step 3: Slice and Prep Potatoes

Peel those potatoes and slice them super thin – almost see-through.

Spread these golden rounds across the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a perfect potato base.

Step 4: Layer the Goodness

Spread the seasoned beef evenly over the potato layer.

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Milk

Pour this creamy mixture all over the beef and potatoes, making sure everything gets a nice, even coating.

Step 5: First Baking Round

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the oven.

Let it bake for one full hour, allowing the potatoes to become perfectly tender.

Step 6: Cheese Finale

Pull the casserole out and remove the foil.

Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese across the top.

Pop it back in the oven uncovered for 15 more minutes until the cheese melts into bubbly, golden deliciousness.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Give the casserole a quick 5-minute break before serving.

This lets everything settle and makes cutting and serving a breeze.

Enjoy your comforting, homemade meal!

Hamburger Casserole Helpful Tips

• Remove as much grease as possible to prevent a soggy casserole and keep the dish lighter and healthier.
• Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create uniform potato slices, ensuring even cooking and perfect texture throughout the dish.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like monterey jack, pepper jack, or a blend to add unique flavor profiles and personal touch.
• Sneak in finely chopped vegetables like spinach or carrots during beef cooking to increase nutritional value without changing the dish's core taste.
• Substitute condensed soup with homemade cream sauce using cornstarch or gluten-free cream soup to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Store & Reheat Hamburger Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label container with date to track storage time.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover with foil and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Add extra cheese if desired for renewed flavor.
• Place individual portions on microwave-safe plate. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until temperature reaches 165°F. Add splash of milk to prevent dryness.

Casserole Side Dish Ideas

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the hearty beef and creamy casserole flavors, cutting through the richness with its tannic structure.
• Serve with Crisp Garden Salad: Create a light green salad with mixed lettuce, cucumber, and vinaigrette dressing to balance the casserole's heaviness and add fresh texture.
• Enhance with Tangy Pickles: Add dill pickle spears or a quick pickle side to provide sharp, acidic contrast against the creamy, meaty casserole, brightening each bite.
• Recommend Craft Beer Pairing: Choose a medium-bodied amber ale or brown ale with subtle malt notes that will harmonize with the beef and potato comfort food elements.

Hamburger Casserole Recipe Swaps

• Vegetarian Potato Bake: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian alternative.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Casserole: Swap potatoes with thinly sliced cauliflower to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining similar texture and flavor.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free condensed cream of mushroom soup and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute dairy cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternative and use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk to accommodate dairy-sensitive individuals.

FAQs

• Why are the potatoes thinly sliced?

Thin potato slices ensure even cooking and help the potatoes become tender throughout the casserole, creating a consistent texture and allowing them to absorb the creamy soup mixture more effectively.

• Can I use a different type of cream soup?

Yes, you can substitute cream of mushroom with cream of chicken or cream of celery soup. Each will provide a slightly different flavor profile while maintaining the casserole’s creamy consistency.

• How do I know when the potatoes are fully cooked?

The potatoes are done when they can be easily pierced with a fork and are soft throughout. After one hour of covered baking, they should be tender and fully cooked.

• Is it necessary to drain the ground beef?

Yes, draining excess grease is important to prevent the casserole from becoming too oily and to ensure a better overall texture and taste of the dish.

Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty comfort meets simplicity in this cheesy hamburger & potato casserole, packed with flavor and nostalgia. Creamy layers of ground beef, potatoes, and melted cheese promise a satisfying meal that brings families together around the dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables and Starches:

• 4 large potatoes, thinly sliced

Dairy and Seasoning:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 1 can (10.75 ounces/305 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by applying a light coating of cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Create an even layer of thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom of the prepared dish, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Heat a skillet over medium-high temperature and thoroughly cook the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles.
4. Drain any excess fat from the beef and season with salt and pepper to enhance the meat’s flavor profile.
5. Distribute the seasoned ground beef uniformly over the potato layer, creating a consistent meat coverage.
6. Whisk the condensed cream of mushroom soup with milk in a separate bowl until achieving a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
7. Carefully pour the soup and milk blend over the meat and potato layers, ensuring even distribution across the entire casserole.
8. Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture and promote even cooking.
9. Position the covered casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until potatoes reach a tender consistency.
10. Remove the foil and generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the casserole’s surface.
11. Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and develop a golden, bubbling texture.
12. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, which helps the ingredients settle and makes serving easier.

Notes

• Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Use low-fat ground beef or turkey for a leaner protein option that reduces overall calorie content.
• Replace condensed soup with homemade cream sauce for a fresher, less processed alternative that controls sodium levels.
• Add chopped vegetables like onions, bell peppers, or spinach to boost nutritional value and introduce extra flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg