Description
Hamburger and Potato Casserole is a hearty, creamy, and cheesy comfort-food dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender sliced potatoes, a rich mushroom sauce, sour cream, and melted cheddar cheese. Everything is layered together and baked until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is golden and bubbly. It is an easy, budget-friendly family meal that is especially delicious on a cozy evening.
Full Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3–4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup, or cream of chicken
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook for about 7–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess grease and season with salt and pepper.
- Make the creamy sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth and well combined.
- Start layering: Arrange half of the thinly sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Add the beef: Spread half of the cooked ground beef and onion mixture evenly over the potatoes.
- Add sauce and cheese: Pour half of the creamy soup mixture over the beef, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- Repeat the layers: Add the remaining potatoes, followed by the remaining beef mixture. Pour the remaining creamy sauce over everything and finish with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
- Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes.
- Finish baking: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This allows the creamy sauce to settle and makes it easier to portion.
Notes
- Slice the potatoes thinly and evenly so they cook at the same rate.
- Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work especially well.
- Cream of mushroom soup gives the casserole a classic savory flavor, while cream of chicken makes it slightly milder.
- For the creamiest result, don’t skip the sour cream.
- Covering the casserole during the first part of baking helps the potatoes become tender without drying out.
Helpful Tips
Slice potatoes evenly: Aim for thin slices of similar thickness. Thick potato slices may need additional baking time.
Don’t skip draining the beef: Removing excess grease prevents the finished casserole from becoming overly oily.
Make it extra cheesy: Add another ½ cup of cheddar if you love a thicker cheese layer.
Add vegetables: Frozen peas, corn, green beans, or sliced mushrooms can be added between the layers.
For a golden top: Always uncover the casserole for the final 15–20 minutes of baking.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole is filling on its own, but you can serve it with:
- Green salad
- Steamed green beans
- Roasted broccoli
- Corn
- Dinner rolls
- Garlic bread
- Steamed carrots
Estimated Nutrition
Per serving, based on 6 servings:
- Calories: ~430 kcal
- Protein: ~23 g
- Carbohydrates: ~34 g
- Fat: ~24 g
- Saturated Fat: ~11 g
- Fiber: ~3 g
- Sugar: ~4 g
- Sodium: ~650–800 mg
Nutrition is an estimate and will vary depending on the type of ground beef, cheese, soup, and other ingredients used.
Benefits
- Protein-rich: Ground beef and cheese provide protein to help make the meal satisfying.
- Good source of energy: Potatoes provide carbohydrates for fuel.
- Calcium: Cheddar cheese and sour cream contribute calcium.
- Family-friendly: The creamy sauce and melted cheese make it appealing to both children and adults.
- Easy one-dish meal: The main ingredients are layered and baked together, making cleanup simple.
Recipe Q&A
Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Because the ingredients will be cold, you may need to add some extra baking time.
Why are my potatoes still hard?
The potatoes may have been sliced too thickly, or the casserole may need more time in the oven. Cover it again and continue baking until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey is a good substitute and will make the casserole leaner.
Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely. Peas, corn, mushrooms, carrots, or green beans can be added to the layers.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes. Monterey Jack, Colby, mozzarella, or a cheddar blend can all work well.
How do I store leftovers?
Allow the casserole to cool, then cover and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, although the texture of the creamy sauce and potatoes may change slightly after freezing and thawing. For best results, freeze tightly covered and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.