Description
Hamburger Potato Casserole brings comfort straight to your dinner table with hearty layers of ground beef, tender potatoes, and cheesy goodness. Weeknight meals just got easier with this simple, satisfying one-dish wonder that feeds hungry families without complicated prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Starch:
- 3 cups thinly sliced potatoes
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup milk
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and position the rack in the center for even heating.
- Place 1 pound of ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break the meat into small crumbles using a wooden spoon while cooking for 6 minutes.
- Drain the excess fat from the beef and transfer it to a clean plate. Season the meat with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Dice ½ cup of onions into small, uniform pieces that will distribute evenly through the casserole.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 can of cream of mushroom soup with ¾ cup milk. Whisk these ingredients until they create a smooth, consistent sauce.
- Slice 3 cups of potatoes into thin, ⅛-inch thick rounds. A mandoline works best for creating uniform slices.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Create the first layer by arranging ⅓ of the potato slices across the bottom of the dish, slightly overlapping them.
- Spread ½ of the seasoned ground beef evenly over the potato layer.
- Drizzle ⅓ of the soup mixture across the beef, ensuring even coverage.
- Repeat the layering process with another third of potatoes, remaining beef, and another third of soup mixture.
- Top with the final layer of potato slices and pour the remaining soup mixture over the top.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 60 minutes at 350°F.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese across the surface.
- Return the casserole to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.
Notes
- Slice potatoes thinly and evenly to ensure uniform cooking and a consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Drain the ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making the dish too oily or soggy.
- For a lower-carb version, swap potatoes with cauliflower or turnips and use a low-fat cream soup alternative.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or Swiss for unique flavor profiles that can transform the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 36 minutes - 1 hour 41 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg