Of course! The Hamburger Potato Casserole is the definition of comfort food. It’s hearty, satisfying, and feeds a crowd with minimal effort. It’s also known as “Hamburger Scalloped Potatoes” or a deconstructed cheeseburger in casserole form.
Here is a classic, foolproof recipe that will become a family favorite.
Classic Hamburger Potato Casserole
This recipe layers creamy, cheesy sauce with seasoned ground beef and tender potatoes for a complete meal in one dish.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients:
For the Meat Layer:
· 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is ideal for flavor)
· 1 medium onion, chopped
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 teaspoon salt
· ½ teaspoon black pepper
· 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Creamy Sauce:
· 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup (or cream of celery/chicken)
· 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup OR 1 cup sour cream
· 1 cup milk or beef broth
· ½ teaspoon garlic powder
· ½ teaspoon paprika
For the Casserole:
· 4-5 large Russet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and thinly sliced (⅛-inch thick)
· 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the Meat Filling: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease. Add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for one more minute until fragrant. Set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese soup (or sour cream), milk, garlic powder, and paprika until smooth.
- Assemble the Casserole:
· Layer 1: Spread half of the thinly sliced potatoes evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
· Layer 2: Spoon the entire cooked beef and onion mixture over the potatoes and spread it out.
· Layer 3: Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef.
· Layer 4: Arrange the remaining potato slices over the cheese.
· Layer 5: Pour the creamy sauce mixture evenly over the entire casserole, making sure it seeps down into the layers. Gently shake the dish to help it settle. - Bake (Covered): Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 1 hour.
- Final Bake (Uncovered): Carefully remove the foil. The potatoes should be tender when pierced with a fork. If not, re-cover and bake for 10-15 more minutes. Once tender, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and bake, uncovered, for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole stand for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken and makes it much easier to slice and serve.
Pro-Tips for a Perfect Casserole:
· Slice Potatoes Evenly: Use a mandoline slicer (carefully!) or a food processor with a slicing disk to get uniform, thin slices. This ensures they all cook at the same rate.
· Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Letting it sit after baking is not optional! It makes a huge difference in the final texture.
· Customize It:
· Add Veggies: Stir in a cup of frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn) with the beef.
· Make it Cheeseburger Style: Add pickle slices on top before the final cheese layer, or stir in a squirt of ketchup and mustard into the meat.
· Add a Crunchy Topping: Before the final bake, top with French fried onions or buttery breadcrumbs mixed with the cheese.
· Spice it Up: Add a diced jalapeño to the beef or a dash of hot sauce to the creamy mixture.
· Can I use frozen hash browns? Yes! For a shortcut, you can use a 30 oz bag of frozen shredded hash browns (thawed). The texture will be different but still delicious.
This casserole is the ultimate cozy dinner. Enjoy every cheesy, hearty, comforting bite