Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole

 

🍽️ Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe

Introduction

There's something truly comforting about a hamburger potato casserole. This recipe combines the best of two classic favorites—hamburgers and potatoes—into one easy-to-make dish that’s both hearty and satisfying. The beauty of this casserole lies in its simplicity, versatility, and ability to feed a crowd. Ground beef is paired with tender potatoes, creamy cheese, and flavorful seasonings, creating a dish that’s packed with flavor in every bite.

Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal, a dish to feed a group, or something that can be prepped ahead of time, this casserole has got you covered. It’s family-friendly, customizable, and the leftovers taste just as delicious the next day. Let’s dive into this easy hamburger potato casserole recipe!

🛒 Ingredients

This recipe serves 6–8 people and is easily scalable for more or fewer servings. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Casserole:

1 lb ground beef (use lean or regular beef depending on your preference)

4 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8–1/4 inch thick)

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

1 ½ cups sour cream (full-fat for creaminess)

1 cup milk (whole milk is recommended)

1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken for variation)

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika (for a smoky flavor)

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing)

Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

🍽️ Instructions

1. Prepare the Ground Beef Mixture

a. Brown the Ground Beef

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Brown the beef for about 6–8 minutes, until it's no longer pink and begins to develop a rich, golden-brown color.

b. Add the Onion and Garlic

Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes, until the onions soften and become translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

c. Season the Beef Mixture

Stir in 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1 teaspoon of dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything well and set aside.

2. Prep the Potatoes

a. Slice the Potatoes

While the beef is cooking, peel and thinly slice the potatoes into 1/8-inch thick slices. The thinner the slices, the faster and more evenly they’ll cook in the casserole. If you prefer, you can use a mandolin slicer to ensure uniform thickness.

b. Parboil the Potatoes (Optional but Recommended)

For extra tender potatoes, consider parboiling them before layering them in the casserole. To do this, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the sliced potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, then drain and set aside to cool slightly. Parboiling ensures the potatoes are fully cooked by the time the casserole is done.

This step isn’t strictly necessary, but it can reduce the overall baking time and ensure perfectly cooked potatoes.

3. Assemble the Casserole

a. Layer the Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or a light coating of butter. Begin layering your casserole in the following order:

Layer of potatoes: Start with a layer of thinly sliced potatoes on the bottom of the dish.

Ground beef mixture: Spread half of the cooked ground beef mixture over the potatoes.

Sour cream mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, milk, and cream of mushroom soup. Stir until smooth and pour half of this mixture over the beef layer.

Shredded cheese: Sprinkle ¾ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the sour cream mixture.

Repeat the layers, using the remaining potatoes, ground beef, sour cream mixture, and the rest of the cheese. Make sure the top layer is cheese for a bubbly, golden finish.

b. Cover the Casserole

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. The foil will help steam the potatoes and keep everything moist while baking.

4. Bake and Finish

After 45 minutes, remove the foil from the casserole and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. The cheese should be melted and the potatoes should be tender when pierced with a fork. If you find that the top isn’t browning as much as you like, you can broil the casserole for an additional 2–3 minutes at the end.

5. Garnish and Serve

Once the casserole is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. This gives everything a chance to set so that you can cut clean slices. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color and added freshness.

🌟 Tips for Perfect Hamburger Potato Casserole

Choose the Right Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes or Russets are great choices for casseroles. Russets become fluffy when baked, while Yukon Golds hold their shape and have a creamy texture. If you prefer your casserole to have a little more texture, use Yukon Golds.

Layering Technique: Layering the potatoes and beef in an even manner ensures that each bite has a balanced ratio of beef, potatoes, and cheese. It also allows the flavors to meld better as the casserole bakes.

Adjust the Cheese: While cheddar cheese is the classic choice, you can also use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Colby cheese for a different flavor profile. For extra richness, consider adding a layer of cream cheese in the sour cream mixture.

Customize with Veggies: You can add vegetables like frozen peas, corn, or sautéed mushrooms into the beef mixture for extra flavor and texture. Adding spinach or kale will provide a nice color and boost the nutritional content.

Use Ground Turkey or Chicken: If you're looking for a leaner alternative, you can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken. Just be mindful that the leaner meats will result in a less juicy casserole, so you may want to add a little extra oil or butter to compensate.

Make Ahead and Freeze: This casserole is great for make-ahead meals. You can prepare it the day before, cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate it overnight. The next day, bake it as instructed. You can also freeze the casserole before baking. When ready to cook, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual.

🍛 What to Serve with Hamburger Potato Casserole

While this casserole is a hearty dish on its own, you can pair it with a few simple sides to round out the meal. Here are some great ideas for what to serve alongside your hamburger potato casserole:

1. Green Salad

A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette helps cut through the richness of the casserole. You could make a Caesar salad, a mixed greens salad, or even a spinach salad with some light dressing.

2. Garlic Bread

If you want something to soak up any sauce or cheesy goodness left on your plate, serve your casserole with some garlic bread or crusty rolls. This is especially great for dipping into the creamy, cheesy sauce.

3. Steamed or Roasted Vegetables

Complement the richness of the casserole with some steamed broccoli, roasted carrots, or green beans. These veggies add color, crunch, and balance the flavors of the meal.

4. Fruit Salad

A refreshing fruit salad with seasonal fruits like apples, berries, and citrus can provide a fresh contrast to the savory casserole.

🧠 Nutritional Information (per serving)

The nutritional breakdown for Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole can vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes. Below is an estimate based on standard ingredients:

Calories: 350–400 kcal per serving

Fat: 20g

Carbohydrates: 30g

Protein: 18g

Fiber: 3g

Sodium: 700–900mg

💭 Final Thoughts

This easy hamburger potato casserole is a true comfort food classic that combines the best of both worlds: savory ground beef and creamy potatoes. It's simple to make, can be prepped ahead of time, and can easily be customized to suit your preferences. With layers of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and gooey cheese, this casserole is sure to be a hit at your table.

Whether you're cooking for a busy weeknight, a family dinner, or a special gathering, this casserole will not disappoint. Plus, it’s easy to scale up or down depending on how many people you're serving, and the leftovers are just as delicious the next day.