Description
Hamburger potato casserole brings hearty comfort right to your dinner table with layers of ground beef, crispy potatoes, and melted cheese. Packed with simple ingredients and pure homestyle flavor, this classic dish delivers a satisfying meal that feeds hungry families without any fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2.5 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
- 3 cups Colby Jack cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup sweet yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon garlic
- 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Slice 2.5 pounds of Yukon gold potatoes ⅛-inch thick. Submerge them in cold water to prevent browning.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Brown 2 pounds of ground beef with 1 cup diced onions and 1 tablespoon minced garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Completely drain excess fat.
- Whisk 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup half and half, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a separate bowl.
- Arrange first layer of potato slices across baking dish bottom. Distribute ⅓ of browned beef mixture and sprinkle ¾ cup shredded Colby Jack cheese. Pour ⅓ of cream mixture evenly.
- Create second identical layer: potato slices, beef, cheese, and cream sauce.
- Top casserole with final potato and beef layers. Pour remaining sauce and generously cover with 1½ cups shredded cheese.
- Seal dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for additional 20 minutes until cheese turns golden.
- Allow casserole to rest 15 minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Potato Tip: Pat those potato slices super dry after their water bath to ensure they crisp up nicely and don’t get soggy during baking.
- Meat Selection: Choose ground beef with about 15-20% fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness in your casserole.
- Cheese Options: Swap standard cheddar with smoked gouda or pepper jack for an extra flavor kick that’ll make your casserole stand out.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire casserole up to a day ahead, refrigerate, and bake when ready – it actually develops deeper flavors overnight.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg