Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe
The Hamburger Potato Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish that brings together ground beef, tender potatoes, and creamy layers of cheese and sauce. This casserole is not only easy to prepare, but it also makes for a perfect weeknight meal or a cozy weekend dinner. The flavors meld together beautifully as the dish bakes, creating a savory, cheesy meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to preheat while you prepare the ingredients.
2. Cook the Ground Beef
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic, and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they are soft and fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks, ensuring that it browns evenly. Season the beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes.
Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet and set the beef mixture aside.
3. Prepare the Potatoes
While the beef is cooking, peel and slice the potatoes into thin, even slices. The thinner the slices, the more evenly they’ll cook, so try to keep them around 1/4-inch thick.
For added creaminess, you can soak the sliced potatoes in cold water for about 10 minutes to remove some of the starch. Drain and pat dry before layering them in the casserole.
4. Mix the Sauce
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk. Whisk until smooth. This creamy sauce will bind the casserole together and create a rich, savory layer in between the potatoes and beef.
Season the sauce with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a bit of paprika for extra flavor.
5. Assemble the Casserole
In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, start by layering half of the sliced potatoes evenly on the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper over the potatoes for seasoning.
Next, spread half of the browned ground beef mixture over the potatoes.
Pour half of the cream sauce over the beef, ensuring it covers everything. Then sprinkle about 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the sauce layer.
Repeat the layers: add the remaining potatoes, followed by the rest of the ground beef, and the rest of the cream sauce. Top everything with the final cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
6. Bake the Casserole
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
For the last 10-15 minutes of baking, remove the foil to allow the cheese on top to melt and become bubbly and golden brown.
7. Let It Rest and Garnish
Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This will help the layers set and make it easier to slice.
For a fresh burst of flavor, sprinkle chopped green onions and parsley over the top before serving.
Serving Suggestions
The Hamburger Potato Casserole is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a crisp side salad or some steamed vegetables like green beans or broccoli. For a heartier meal, you can serve it alongside garlic bread or rolls.
Tips for the Best Hamburger Potato Casserole
- Potato Slices: Thin, even slices of potatoes are key to ensuring they cook through properly. Using a mandoline can help you achieve consistent slices, which will bake more evenly.
- Cheese Options: While cheddar is a classic choice, you can experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan for different flavors and textures.
- Extra Veggies: To boost the nutrition and flavor, you can add layers of vegetables like sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini in between the potato and beef layers.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole a day ahead and store it in the fridge before baking. Just let it come to room temperature before placing it in the oven.
- Substitutions: If you prefer a lighter version, you can swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. For a different sauce, try using cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup.
Variations of Hamburger Potato Casserole
- Bacon Cheeseburger Potato Casserole: Add some cooked, crumbled bacon into the layers for a bacon cheeseburger twist. Top the casserole with crispy bacon bits before serving.
- Tex-Mex Style: Add taco seasoning to the beef and use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. Layer in some diced tomatoes, green chilies, or black beans for a Tex-Mex flair.
- Loaded Baked Potato Casserole: Top the casserole with sour cream, chives, and extra cheese just before serving to mimic the flavors of a loaded baked potato.
- Creamy Mushroom Hamburger Casserole: Add sautéed mushrooms to the beef mixture and use a blend of Swiss and cheddar cheese for a rich, earthy flavor.
Conclusion
This Hamburger Potato Casserole is a classic comfort food dish that combines the satisfying flavors of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese into one hearty meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or whenever you’re craving a warm, filling dish. With its easy prep, versatile ingredients, and delicious layers, this casserole is sure to become a go-to recipe in your household.
Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe
The Hamburger Potato Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish that brings together ground beef, tender potatoes, and creamy layers of cheese and sauce. This casserole is not only easy to prepare, but it also makes for a perfect weeknight meal or a cozy weekend dinner. The flavors meld together beautifully as the dish bakes, creating a savory, cheesy meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4-5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (optional, for browning beef)
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Ground Beef:
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain any excess fat.
Season the beef with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix the Soup and Milk:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup and milk. Stir until well blended to create a creamy sauce.
4. Layer the Casserole:
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the thinly sliced potatoes at the bottom of the dish.
Add half of the cooked ground beef mixture over the potatoes.
Pour half of the soup mixture over the beef and potatoes, spreading it evenly.
Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, beef, soup mixture, and top with the remaining cheese.
5. Bake:
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
6. Serve:
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- Potato Slicing Tip: For even cooking, slice the potatoes thinly and uniformly. A mandoline slicer can help achieve this.
- Cheese Variations: You can mix in Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese for a different flavor.
- Add Vegetables: Feel free to add layers of sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Make Ahead: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.