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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Create the initial foundation by arranging a uniform layer of thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Distribute finely chopped onions evenly over the potato base, creating a fragrant aromatic layer.
- 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.
- Spread the seasoned ground beef uniformly over the onion layer, creating a hearty protein foundation.
- Generously sprinkle a blanket of shredded cheese, allowing it to cascade between the meat and potato layers.
- Repeat the layering process – potatoes, onions, beef, and cheese – until all ingredients are incorporated, ensuring the top layer is a luxurious cheese covering.
- Whisk the condensed cream of mushroom soup with milk in a separate bowl, creating a smooth, creamy binding agent.
- Season the soup mixture with a delicate balance of salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Gently cascade the soup mixture across the layered ingredients, ensuring complete and even distribution.
- 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.
- Once cooking completes, let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and settle.
- 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