Description
This Easy Hamburger Potato Cheese Casserole is a comforting, hearty American dish perfect for family dinners. It layers seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced russet potatoes, creamy mushroom soup, and plenty of cheddar cheese, all baked to golden bubbly perfection. The casserole is easy to prepare, freezer-friendly, and delivers a savory blend of flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Potato Layers
- 4 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced
Soup Mixture
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
Other
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with the tablespoon of butter to prevent sticking and help with browning.
- Cook the beef mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to season the mixture thoroughly.
- Mix the soup and milk: In a small bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth and well combined, creating a creamy layer for the casserole.
- Layer the casserole – first half: Arrange half of the thinly sliced potatoes evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the cooked ground beef mixture over the potatoes. Then pour half of the soup mixture evenly on top. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to finish the first layered section.
- Layer the casserole – second half: Repeat the layering process using the remaining potatoes, ground beef mixture, soup mixture, and finish with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese spread evenly on top.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to keep moisture in. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, allowing the potatoes to cook through and flavors to meld.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes. This step lets the top layer of cheese turn golden and bubbly, and ensures the potatoes are tender.
- Rest and serve: Take the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps the layers set, making it easier to cut and serve while keeping it hot and delicious.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of paprika or cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
- You can substitute cream of chicken or celery soup instead of mushroom soup for a different flavor base.
- This casserole reheats well and can be frozen for convenient future meals.
