Description
Hearty hamburger potato casserole marries ground beef’s richness with creamy potato layers, creating a comforting midwest classic. Cheese-topped and baked to golden perfection, you’ll savor each satisfying forkful of this homestyle dinner favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
Vegetable Components:
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) peeled and thinly sliced potatoes
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chopped onion
Dairy and Seasoning Components:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) milk
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal cooking environment for the casserole.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and thoroughly cook the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the beef, ensuring a leaner dish with concentrated meat flavor.
- Whisk together condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, chopped onions, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl to create a creamy binding sauce.
- Select a 2-quart baking dish and construct strategic layers: begin with a thin potato slice foundation, followed by a generous spread of soup mixture, then evenly distribute the seasoned beef.
- Repeat layering process, ensuring each ingredient is distributed evenly for consistent taste and texture throughout the casserole.
- Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven and allow it to bake for approximately 1 to 1½ hours, monitoring potato tenderness.
- During the final moments of baking, sprinkle shredded Cheddar cheese across the surface, returning to the oven briefly until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling blanket.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to slightly set before serving.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier version of the casserole.
- Thinly slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like Swiss or Monterey Jack for unique flavor profiles and added complexity.
- Consider adding diced bell peppers or mushrooms for extra nutrition and depth of taste, making the casserole more colorful and exciting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg