Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Dish

Comfort food takes on new meaning with this hearty hamburger potato casserole that promises to satisfy deep hunger pangs.

My grandma first shared her version decades ago, sparking a family tradition of home-cooked warmth.

Russet potatoes layered with seasoned ground beef create a delicious landscape of flavor and texture.

Simple ingredients come together in a straightforward cooking method that feels almost magical.

Creamy cheese melts between potato slices, binding each mouthwatering bite with rich, savory goodness.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary when you serve this unpretentious yet incredibly delicious dish.

This casserole will quickly become your go-to meal for instant kitchen happiness.

Why Hamburger Potato Casserole Feels Like Comfort Food

• Prepare this hearty casserole with minimal effort using a crockpot, perfect for busy weeknights when time is scarce.
• Combines kid-favorite ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and cheese into a single satisfying dish that appeals to all ages.
• Adaptable to different schedules with low and high cooking time settings, allowing busy home cooks to customize meal preparation to their needs.
• Utilizes affordable ground beef and simple pantry ingredients to create a filling meal that doesn't break the bank, making it an economical dinner solution.

Key Ingredients for This Classic Weeknight Dish

• Potatoes: Starchy vegetable providing a hearty foundation for the casserole, best when thinly sliced and preferably waxy varieties.
• Ground Beef: Protein-rich meat adding robust flavor, lean varieties recommended for less grease.
• Onions: Aromatic vegetable bringing depth and sweet undertones to the dish.

• Cheese: Melty topping creating creamy texture and golden brown surface, sharp cheddar works best.
• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creamy base binding ingredients together, provides moisture and rich flavor.
• Milk: Liquid component helping to thin soup and create smooth consistency.

• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer for overall taste profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and complements meat and potato flavors.

• Butter: Helps prevent sticking in crockpot, provides additional richness.
• Cooking Spray: Alternative non-stick option for greasing crockpot.

Easy Instructions for a Hearty Family Casserole

Step 1: Brown The Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until completely browned, breaking meat into small crumbles. Drain excess fat and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare Potato Layers

• Wash potatoes thoroughly
• Slice potatoes thinly and evenly
• Cut onions into thin rings

Step 3: Create Delicious Layers

• Potato slices
• Onion rings
• Browned ground beef
• Shredded cheese

Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a cheese topping.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Whole milk
• Black pepper
• Salt

Step 5: Pour And Combine

Gently pour soup mixture over layered ingredients, ensuring even coverage throughout crockpot.

Step 6: Slow Cook To Perfection

• Low setting: 6-7 hours
• High setting: 3-4 hours

Step 7: Final Touch And Serve

Let casserole rest for 5 minutes after cooking. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve alongside green salad or roasted vegetables.

Tips for Creamy Layers and Tops

• Choose Lean Ground Beef: Select 90/10 or 85/15 ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
• Prevent Potato Discoloration: Slice potatoes right before layering and consider soaking them in cold water to maintain their fresh, white appearance and remove excess starch.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Sauté onions before adding to the casserole to enhance their natural sweetness and develop a richer, more complex taste profile.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap regular cheese with low-fat or dairy-free alternatives, and use cream of mushroom soup with reduced sodium for a healthier version of the dish.
• Enhance Texture and Moisture: Cover the top with aluminum foil during the first few hours of cooking to lock in moisture and ensure potatoes cook evenly without drying out.

How to Store Hamburger Casserole Without Drying It Out

• Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pack in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freezes well for up to 2 months. Label container with date for easy tracking.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place casserole in baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through, stirring occasionally.
• Transfer portion to microwave-safe dish. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Stop when casserole reaches steaming temperature.

What Tastes Good with a Meaty Potato Bake

• Perfect Pairings for Hamburger Potato Casserole
• Toss a crisp mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette to cut through the casserole's richness and add a light, zesty counterpoint.
• Select a medium-bodied red like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon to complement the hearty beef and cheese flavors, enhancing the meal's depth.
• Prepare a creamy, cool coleslaw with a hint of apple cider vinegar to provide a refreshing texture and acidic balance against the casserole's warm, comforting profile.
• Choose a hoppy American pale ale or amber lager to cut through the dish's richness and provide a crisp, refreshing accompaniment that echoes the casserole's robust character.

Creative Spins to Add New Flavor Notes

• Lean Protein Power: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lower-fat option that keeps the hearty flavor intact.
• Vegetarian Comfort: Swap ground meat with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms to create a vegetarian-friendly version that maintains the casserole's rich texture.
• Gluten-Free Goodness: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower or turnip slices to reduce carbohydrate content while preserving the casserole's classic comfort food appeal.

Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty hamburger potato casserole brings comfort straight from midwestern kitchen tables to dinner plates nationwide. Savory ground beef, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that warms souls and delights hungry families.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef

Vegetables:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cups potatoes, thinly sliced (about 3 medium potatoes)

Seasoning and Dairy:

• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) paprika
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra for topping
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cooking vessel by gently coating the interior with a thin layer of butter or non-stick spray to ensure effortless serving and cleaning.
2. Create the initial foundation by arranging a uniform layer of thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Distribute finely chopped onions evenly over the potato base, creating a fragrant aromatic layer.
4. Transform the raw ground beef into a perfectly browned mixture by sautéing in a skillet until all pink disappears and a rich caramelized exterior develops.
5. Spread the seasoned ground beef uniformly over the onion layer, creating a hearty protein foundation.
6. Generously sprinkle a blanket of shredded cheese, allowing it to cascade between the meat and potato layers.
7. Repeat the layering process – potatoes, onions, beef, and cheese – until all ingredients are incorporated, ensuring the top layer is a luxurious cheese covering.
8. Whisk the condensed cream of mushroom soup with milk in a separate bowl, creating a smooth, creamy binding agent.
9. Season the soup mixture with a delicate balance of salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
10. Gently cascade the soup mixture across the layered ingredients, ensuring complete and even distribution.
11. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the casserole to simmer on low temperature for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, transforming the ingredients into a harmonious, tender dish.
12. Once cooking completes, let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and settle.
13. Serve the piping hot casserole alongside a crisp garden salad or steamed seasonal vegetables for a complete meal experience.

Notes

• Prep Beef Thoroughly: Always brown ground beef completely to eliminate any potential bacteria and enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Potato Slicing Technique: Cut potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
• Cheese Variation: Experiment with different cheese types like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or a blend for added depth and complexity.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular ground beef for lean turkey or plant-based meat alternatives to accommodate different nutritional needs and preferences.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg