Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe: A Hearty Family Favorite

Comfort food reaches new heights with this hearty hamburger potato casserole that promises to satisfy even the most discerning appetite.

Layers of golden potatoes mingle with seasoned ground beef, creating a mouthwatering symphony of flavors.

Each bite delivers a perfect blend of rustic charm and home-cooked goodness.

The casserole brings together simple ingredients in a remarkably delicious way that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Creamy, savory, and packed with protein, this dish turns an ordinary meal into a memorable dining experience.

Cheese melts provocatively between tender potato slices, adding an irresistible richness to every forkful.

Dive into this classic comfort meal that promises warmth, satisfaction, and pure culinary joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients That Create a Hearty Potato Casserole

• Lean Ground Beef: Creates rich, meaty foundation with robust flavor and provides essential protein for a satisfying meal. Choose fresh, high-quality ground beef with minimal fat content for healthier option.
• Onion: Adds delightful aromatic depth and subtle sweetness to the casserole. Select firm, crisp onions without soft spots or sprouting for best taste.

• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Milk: Delivers silky smooth texture and creates luscious sauce that holds casserole together. Opt for low-sodium soup to control salt levels and use whole milk for richer consistency.
• Cheddar Cheese: Introduces tangy, sharp flavor and creates golden, melty topping. Select sharp or medium cheddar for more pronounced cheese experience.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances other ingredients. Use freshly ground black pepper for more intense taste.
• Potatoes: Provides hearty base with comforting, starchy texture. Choose firm, waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold that hold shape during baking and slice evenly.

Tools That Simplify Casserole Assembly

• Large skillet: Essential for browning ground beef and creating delicious caramelized meat.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for combining soup, milk, and seasonings smoothly.
• 2-quart baking dish: Ideal for layering potatoes, beef, and creating a hearty casserole.
• Sharp knife: Necessary for thinly slicing potatoes with precision.
• Cheese grater: Helps create fresh, fluffy shredded cheddar cheese for topping.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring beef and mixing ingredients evenly.
• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate milk and ingredient measurements.

Instructions to Build Hamburger and Potato Layers

Comfort Kitchen Delight

• Meat and Potato Foundations

Start by sizzling ground beef in a skillet until it transforms into delicious golden-brown crumbles. Let excess fat drip away, creating a lean protein base for your hearty casserole.

• Creamy Flavor Landscape

Whisk together a luxurious sauce combining creamy mushroom soup with milk, allowing onions and subtle seasonings to mingle and create a rich background flavor profile.

• Layered Culinary Architecture

Craft your casserole like an edible masterpiece by carefully arranging thin potato slices alternating with seasoned beef and velvety sauce in a welcoming baking dish.

• Oven Magic

Slide your creation into a warm oven, letting gentle heat transform raw ingredients into a bubbling, golden-brown wonder. Patience is key as potatoes soften and flavors deeply intertwine.

• Cheesy Crown

In the final moments of cooking, shower the casserole with a blanket of melting cheddar cheese. Watch as it transforms into a glistening, irresistible top layer that signals your meal is ready to devour.

Flavor Variations for Meat and Cheese Lovers

• Hearty Beef Booster: Add extra ground beef for a more protein-packed meal that'll satisfy big appetites. Perfect for hungry families or weekend gatherings.
• Veggie Power Upgrade: Toss in diced carrots, bell peppers, or peas between potato layers to boost nutrition and add colorful vegetable variety to the casserole.
• Seasoning Sensation: Experiment with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or paprika to create unique flavor profiles that'll make this classic dish pop with excitement.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Try swapping Cheddar with pepper jack, Swiss, or a blend of cheeses to give the casserole a more complex and exciting cheese experience.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate. When ready to eat, simply pop it in the oven and enjoy a stress-free meal preparation.

Serve This Casserole at Casual Gatherings

• Cozy Comfort Companions: Fresh green salad provides a crisp, light contrast to the rich, hearty casserole. Its tangy vinaigrette cuts through the creamy potato layers perfectly.
• Hearty Side Kick: Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli add a nutritious vegetable element that complements the meaty, cheesy dish and brings balanced nutrition to the meal.
• Crusty Bread Buddy: Warm garlic bread or crusty sourdough slices are ideal for soaking up the delicious soup mixture and catching every last bit of melted cheese from the casserole.
• Fresh Finish Flourish: A simple side of cucumber and tomato salad dressed with herbs offers a refreshing, cool counterpoint to the warm, comforting main dish.

Storage Tips to Keep Each Layer Delicious

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover casserole in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain delicious flavor profiles.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of milk to restore moisture. Alternatively, reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive drying.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Portion the casserole into freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months, labeling with the date and contents. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best texture and taste.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the entire casserole in advance, covering and refrigerating unbaked. When ready to serve, remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking, then cook as directed. This technique saves time and ensures a delicious, home-cooked meal with minimal effort.

Hearty Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty midwestern hamburger potato casserole combines ground beef, potatoes, and creamy cheese in a comforting one-dish meal. Midwestern home cooks will appreciate this simple, satisfying dinner that brings families together around the table.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
• 3 cups (450 g) peeled and thinly sliced potatoes
• 1 cup (240 ml) shredded Cheddar cheese
• ¾ cup (180 ml) milk
• 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup (75 g) chopped onion
• Salt to taste
• Ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat: Set oven to 350°F, establishing the perfect thermal environment for a hearty casserole transformation.
2. Meat Preparation: In a large skillet, sear ground beef over medium-high heat, fragmenting and browning thoroughly. Drain excess fat completely to ensure a lean, flavorful foundation.
3. Sauce Creation: Whisk condensed mushroom soup with milk, blending finely chopped onions, salt, and pepper into a smooth, cohesive sauce that will bind the casserole’s components.
4. Layering Technique: Arrange thinly sliced potatoes as the base, methodically alternating with seasoned beef and creamy soup mixture. Ensure even distribution for consistent flavor and texture throughout the baking dish.
5. Baking Process: Slide casserole into preheated oven, allowing ingredients to meld and potatoes to become tender and golden. Bake for 1 to 1½ hours, watching for a perfectly caramelized surface and fork-tender potato layers.
6. Cheese Finale: During the last cooking moments, generously sprinkle Cheddar cheese across the surface, returning to oven until cheese melts into a bubbling, golden-brown crust.
7. Resting Stage: Extract from oven and let casserole stand briefly, enabling flavors to intensify and layers to harmonize before serving a comforting, robust meal.

Notes

• Potato Precision: Slice potatoes uniformly thin to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
• Fat Management: Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease and maintain a lighter, more appetizing dish.
• Cheese Timing: Add cheese during the last 10-15 minutes of baking to prevent burning and achieve perfect melting consistency.
• Resting Ritual: Allow the casserole to rest 10-15 minutes after baking, which helps the layers set and makes cutting and serving easier.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 870 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg