Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe

Hearty Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Crafting a hearty hamburger potato casserole brings comfort to your dinner table like nothing else.

Bubbling cheese and savory meat create an irresistible combination that warms hungry souls.

Layers of crisp potatoes mingle with seasoned ground beef in this simple midwestern classic.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this dish comes together with minimal ingredients.

Weeknight meals demand something satisfying and quick, and this casserole delivers perfectly.

Crispy edges and melted cheese promise a delicious experience that keeps everyone asking for seconds.

Potato Casserole With Cheesy Ground Beef Goodness

  • Devour Quick Comfort: A hearty one-dish wonder that transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying meal.
  • Minimal Prep Magic: Throw together this casserole in under 20 minutes, making weeknight dinners a breeze with minimal kitchen effort.
  • Budget-Friendly Feast: Utilize affordable pantry staples like ground beef, potatoes, and canned soups to create a delicious family meal without breaking the bank.
  • Kid-Approved Deliciousness: Packed with cheesy, meaty goodness that children will love, this casserole turns dinnertime into a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that sneaks in protein and vegetables.

Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole Ingredients Inside

Meat and Protein:
  • Ground Beef: Rich protein base for the casserole, choose lean ground beef for less grease.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds deep, savory flavor complexity to the meat.
Dairy Products:
  • Milk: Provides creamy consistency and helps bind ingredients.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty topping that adds rich flavor and golden color, use freshly shredded for best texture.
Soup and Seasoning:
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates smooth, creamy base with earthy undertones.
  • Cream of Potato Soup: Enhances potato flavor and contributes to casserole's thickness.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds subtle, aromatic seasoning without raw garlic chunks.
  • Black Pepper: Provides mild heat and enhances overall dish flavor.
Vegetable Base:
  • Onion: Adds sweet, savory foundation to the meat mixture, provides depth of flavor.
  • Potatoes: Hearty, starchy component that makes the casserole filling and satisfying.

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole Assembly

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) to get ready for this delicious comfort meal.

Step 2: Cook the Meat

Grab a large skillet and brown the ground beef over medium heat.

Make sure to drain away any extra fat for a lighter dish.

Step 3: Bring in the Onion Flavor

Toss chopped onions into the skillet with the beef and let them dance around until they become soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Mix the Magic Ingredients

In a big mixing bowl, combine your tasty ingredients:
  • Browned beef
  • Sautéed onions
  • Cream of mushroom soup
  • Cream of potato soup
  • Milk
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper

Stir everything until it creates a delicious, creamy mixture.

Step 5: Layer the Casserole

Grab your 9×13 baking dish and start building your flavor layers:
  • Spread half of the beef mixture
  • Add a layer of potato cubes
  • Sprinkle half the cheddar cheese
  • Repeat the layers one more time

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and let it bubble away for 30-35 minutes until it’s hot and the cheese is melted and golden.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Give the casserole a quick 5-minute break before serving to let the flavors settle and make cutting easier.

Potato Casserole Hacks for a Fast Weeknight Fix

  • Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika to enhance the meat's richness and depth.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack, Swiss, or a blend to create unique flavor profiles and add personal flair.
  • Choose low-sodium soup options and reduced-fat cheese to make the casserole more heart-healthy without sacrificing taste.
  • Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Simply bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience.
  • Wrap the casserole tightly in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months, making it an excellent make-ahead meal for busy families.

Store Hamburger Potato Casserole

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Transfer casserole to a freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F, cover casserole with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through.
  • Reheat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway to ensure even heating and maintain moisture.

Hamburger Potato Casserole Easy Pairings

  • Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the hamburger potato casserole, cutting through its creamy texture with tannic boldness.
  • Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives on top to add brightness and a crisp, green contrast to the hearty, comforting casserole.
  • Create a Crisp Side Salad: Toss together a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the casserole's heavy, creamy profile and provide a refreshing counterpoint.
  • Add Zesty Pickles: Serve crisp dill pickle spears or quick-pickled vegetables on the side to introduce a sharp, acidic element that cuts through the dish's richness.

Hamburger Potato Casserole Classic Spins

  • Veggie Swap Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu for a vegetarian version that maintains protein content.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Edition: Substitute potato cubes with riced cauliflower to reduce carbohydrates and create a keto-friendly meal option.
  • Gluten-Free Comfort Bake: Use gluten-free cream soups and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for individuals with wheat sensitivities.
  • Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chiles, swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle taco seasoning to create a zesty southwestern-style casserole.

FAQs

  • Can I use fresh potatoes instead of canned or frozen?

Absolutely! Fresh potatoes work great. Just peel and cube them into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.

  • Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Yes, this hamburger potato casserole is perfect for meal prep. You can prepare it ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready. It reheats well and maintains its delicious flavor for 3-4 days when stored properly in an airtight container.

  • Can I make this casserole gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free cream of mushroom and cream of potato soups. Also, ensure any additional seasonings are certified gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

  • What ground beef percentage works best?

80/20 ground beef is ideal for this recipe. It provides enough fat for flavor without making the casserole too greasy. Leaner beef can work, but might result in a slightly drier casserole.

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Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe

Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe


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4.6 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty hamburger potato casserole brings midwestern comfort straight to dinner tables with simple, satisfying ingredients. Creamy layers of ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese create a delicious one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein:

  • 1 pound ground beef

Potatoes and Vegetables:

  • 4 cups cooked and cubed potatoes
  • 1 onion, chopped

Dairy and Seasoning:

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 (10.75 ounces / 305 grams) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 (10.75 ounces / 305 grams) can condensed cream of potato soup
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the culinary workspace by heating the oven to a precise 350°F (175°C), ensuring an ideal cooking environment.
  2. Transform raw ground beef into a rich, caramelized protein by thoroughly browning it in a spacious skillet, meticulously eliminating excess fat through careful draining.
  3. Introduce finely diced onions to the beef, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence, creating a flavor-packed foundation for the dish.
  4. Craft a harmonious mixture by blending the seasoned beef and onions with creamy mushroom and potato soups, incorporating milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper into a luxurious sauce.
  5. Construct a delectable layered landscape within a 9×13 baking vessel, alternating between the savory beef mixture, tender potato cubes, and generously scattered cheddar cheese, creating a stratified culinary masterpiece.
  6. Slide the assembled casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 30-35 minutes until the surface bubbles with anticipation and the interior reaches a perfect, heated consistency.
  7. Grant the casserole a brief moment of repose, letting the ingredients settle and flavors meld for 5 minutes before presenting this comforting, rustic dish to eager diners.

Notes

  • Swap ground beef with lean turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier protein option that cuts down on saturated fat.
  • Enhance nutrition by adding diced bell peppers or frozen mixed vegetables directly into the beef mixture for extra vitamins and fiber.
  • Use low-sodium cream soups to control salt intake, ensuring a heart-friendly version of this comforting casserole.
  • Sprinkle crispy breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a delightful crunchy texture that elevates the dish’s overall appeal.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 410
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 780 mg
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Angelina Wiles

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices​

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.​

​Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.


Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

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