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Hamburger and Potato Casserole recipe is the ultimate comfort food dinner! Layers of seasoned ground beef, tender sliced potatoes, creamy mushroom sauce, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese bake together into a hearty casserole the whole family will love.
If you’re looking for another easy casserole recipe, be sure to try my Ground Beef Casserole and Bisquick Cheeseburger Pie.
Why you’ll love this hamburger and potato casserole recipe!
This cheesy hamburger and potato casserole is one of those dependable dinners you’ll find yourself making again and again. It uses simple pantry ingredients, comes together with very little prep, and bakes into a rich, creamy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Classic Comfort Food: Creamy potatoes, seasoned beef, and melted cheese create the perfect cozy dinner.
- Easy Family Meal: Simple ingredients and easy preparation make this perfect for weeknights.
- Great for Meal Prep: Assemble ahead of time or freeze leftovers for another easy dinner.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with inexpensive pantry staples that feed the whole family.
Table of Contents
Ingredient Notes
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Ground beef – I like to use lean ground beef for this recipe. The excess grease from the meat is drained and discarded. (You’ll also love this Ground Beef Casserole!)
- White onion – Yellow onion will also work.
- Milk – Any type of milk will work, but I like to use whole milk to make extra creamy potatoes and sauce.
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup – Campbell’s soup is my favorite brand, but any type will taste great!
- Potatoes – I like Russet potatoes or Idaho potatoes. Yukon Gold is also a good choice for baking.
- Cheddar cheese – Buy pre-shredded cheese to save time, or grate your own cheese. Freshly grated cheese does melt better!
Variations
- Replace the ground beef with ground chicken or ground turkey for a leaner casserole. This would even work well with Beyond Burger beef for a vegetarian option.
- Replace the cream of mushroom soup with cream of celery soup. The easy hamburger casserole will still taste amazing but without the mushrooms.
- Replace the shredded cheddar with Monterey jack cheese or a Mexican cheese blend. Sharp cheddar cheese is also a good option for a zestier cheese layer.
- Replace the milk with sour cream for a rich, tangy taste.
How to Make Hamburger and Potato Casserole
- Soften the onion: Add the onions and olive oil to a large skillet, and warm over medium-high heat.
- Cook the beef: Stir in the ground beef. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, breaking up the meat as it cooks to make small crumbles.
- Make the sauce: Drain the extra grease from the sauté pan. Then, stir in the condensed soup, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Layer the casserole: Spread 1/2 cup of the beef and sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Add a layer of sliced potatoes followed by another cup of beef and sauce. Continue layering the potatoes and the creamy sauce until the baking dish is full.
- Bake: Bake the casserole for one hour. If it is starting to look too brown on top, loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil, and continue to bake.
- Add cheese: Remove the easy hamburger potato casserole from the oven, and sprinkle the top with a cup of cheese. Then, continue to bake for 20 more minutes. The casserole will be bubbling around the edges and the cheese will be melted when it’s done.
- Cool: Let the casserole cool for about 15 minutes. Then, scoop, and serve warm!
How to Store Leftovers
- To Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- To Freeze: Wrap the cooled casserole tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- To Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire casserole, covered, in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty casserole pairs perfectly with lighter vegetable side dishes like steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, creamed corn, or a simple green salad. Add warm yeast dinner rolls or homemade garlic bread to soak up every bit of the creamy sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you usually cook meat before layering it to a casserole dish. This ensures the meat cooks completely and is safe to eat. The beef in this potato casserole recipe is sautéed in a skillet before going into the casserole.
I typically bake casseroles uncovered. If they start to look too dry or brown on top, you can loosely cover the pan with foil to protect the casserole. This delicious hamburger potato casserole recipe does not need to be covered as it bakes!
You can make casserole the day before to save cooking time and have your meal fully prepped. However, this casserole tastes just as amazing straight out of the oven or the next day!
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Hamburger and Potato Casserole
Equipment
- large skillet
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups
- peeler
- Chef's Knife or mandolin slicer
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF.
- Add the olive oil to a large skillet and add the chopped onions. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are browned.1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 white onion, chopped
- Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until the beef is no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Break up the ground beef into small crumbles as it cooks.1 pound ground beef
- Drain the grease from the pan and discard.
- Stir in the condensed soup, milk, salt and pepper then remove the pan from the heat.1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, 3/4 cup milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Scoop about ½ cup of the soup mix into a 9×13 baking dish and spread it across the bottom of the pan. Then, add a layer of sliced potatoes. Alternate between a layer of soup mix and potatoes until your pan is full.3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- Bake the casserole for one hour then remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle with the cheese. Place the dish back in the oven and bake for another 20 minutes. The cheese will be melted and the casserole will be bubbling around the edges.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Let cool for about 15 minutes then serve!
Video
Notes
- Slice the potatoes very thin so they cook evenly.
- Drain the ground beef well to prevent a greasy casserole.
- Let the casserole rest before serving so it slices neatly.
Such a cosy, family favourite 🤍 Hearty, creamy, and perfect for a weeknight dinner!
I tried this and it turned out so good. The layers came out creamy and comforting, such an easy family meal.
Looks so comforting and hearty, perfect for weeknights
So good! Even my picky eater asked for more.