Hamburger Potato Casserole



Hamburger Potato Casserole

A simple and comforting dish, this Hamburger Potato Casserole will bring everyone running to the table!

Thinly sliced potatoes, ground beef, and onions are layered and cooked in an easy, creamy cheese sauce to make this ground beef casserole the best ever.

a glass 9x13 inch baking dish filled with potato and hamburger casserole, topped with melted cheese and fresh parsley.

Is there really anything more delicious than cheesy potatoes? Everyone loves funeral potatoes, my cheesy vegetable potato bake, or scalloped potatoes as a side dish, but adding meat to the mix means that this potato casserole is a full and filling meal! Real comfort food!

A hearty, uncomplicated main dish like Hamburger Potato Casserole can be assembled in minutes, then baked to cheesy, gooey perfection.

If you’re looking for more filling, comforting casserole inspiration, check out my recipe for Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole with noodles, or my cheesy Tex-Mex Beef Enchilada Casserole!

Chicken Stuffing Casserole is another delicious family favorite.

a spoon serving ground beef potato casserole from the pan.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. It’s an inexpensive, filling meal – Ground beef is one of the least expensive proteins at the grocery store, and potatoes are always a cheap and filling food. If you’re looking to make dinner on a budget, you should definitely try this casserole recipe!
  2. Simple, Easy Flavors – There are no fancy spices or seasonings in this recipe, which means that the whole family will love it.
  3. Common Ingredients – Everything you need for this recipe can be found at any grocery store, and a can of cream of mushroom soup is an easy shortcut to a savory, creamy sauce.

Key Ingredients for Hamburger Casserole

Here’s what you need to make this beef and potato casserole:

The ingredients for potato casserole with ground beef and cheese, arranged on a counter and labeled with text overlays
  • Ground Beef: You can use whatever cut of ground beef you typically buy. I choose to use ground chuck (or 80/20 ground beef) for this recipe, but a leaner type would also be fine. You can also use ground chicken or turkey here.
  • Potatoes: Regular white potatoes work wonderfully in this recipe. Peel them and slice them thinly with a sharp knife or a mandoline.
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup: I love the flavor of cream of mushroom with potatoes and beef, but you could use other varieties of cream soup like cream of chicken soup, or cream of celery if you like.
  • Sour Cream and Cheddar Cheese: Combined with the condensed soup, these ingredients make the sauce for the casserole extra creamy and cheesy! I use cheddar cheese, but colby jack and mozzarella cheese mixed together would also be delicious.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

How To Make Hamburger Potato Casserole

a collage of four images showing how to make meat and sauce for hamburger potato casserole.
  1. Cook the Beef with Onions and Garlic: First, preheat your oven to 375°F/190°C so that it’s ready to go. Then heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, breaking it into small pieces as you go.
  2. Season the Meat: Drain off any excess fat, then season the meat mixture with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (you can also add garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme to taste) . Remove from the heat and set aside.
  3. Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, stir together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until well combined.
  4. Start Layering the Casserole: To a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish, place a third of the sliced potatoes in an even layer. Then spread half of the ground beef mixture over the potatoes.
a collage of three images showing how to layer and bake sliced potatoes to make hamburger casserole.
  1. Keep Layering: Repeat with another layer of potatoes, the rest of the beef, and a half cup of cheddar cheese. Then add the final third of the sliced potatoes. Pour the cream soup mixture all over the casserole, then cover the top with the remaining cheddar.
  2. Bake: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.

Tip!

If you’re worried that the cheese on top of the casserole will stick to the foil, spray the foil lightly with cooking spray before covering the dish! 

Recipe Tips

  • Cut the Potatoes Thinly. This will ensure that they cook quickly and evenly. You can use a knife, but I find it’s easier to carefully slice the potatoes with a mandolin to get them all the same thickness.
  • If you prefer, the potatoes can also be cut into small cubes for this recipe.
  • For more flavor, add a pinch of chili powder or your favorite seasonings to the soup mixture. A dash of hot sauce is also tasty!
  • Let the potato casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This will give it time to cool down and solidify a bit. If you enjoy this meal shortly after baking it, you’ll want to serve it with a big spoon. When it’s at room temperature you’ll be able to slice it like lasagna.
a dinner plate with a generous serving of sliced potato and ground beef casserole. A fork is on the plate and there is a bowl of shredded cheddar cheese next to it.

Storing Tips

Keep leftover hamburger potato casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You can also freeze this casserole after cooking it for up to 2 months for longer storage.

If you wish to freeze it uncooked, cook the ground beef, layer the ingredients in a dish, top with cheese, cover, and place in the freezer for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen adding around an extra 10 minutes to the baking time.

Allow the potato casserole to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

What To Serve With Hamburger Potato Casserole

I like to enjoy this hearty meal with a veggie side dish of green beans, or roasted broccoli, or a side salad. I’ve also been known to skip the veggies with this meal in favor of having room in my belly for more potatoes!

Try my easy Homemade Caesar Salad or Healthy Red Cabbage Slaw.

For dessert, try another comforting recipe and make my chocolate jello pudding pie.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make potato casserole ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the dish the night before, cover it with foil, and keep it in the fridge. When you’re ready to make dinner, bring it to room temperature then toss it in the oven, following the recipe directions.

What else can I add to beef and potato casserole?

This recipe is super flexible, so feel free to add cooked veggies, fresh herbs, spices, or other cooked meats like bacon, shredded chicken, or ground turkey.

What are the best potatoes to use in a casserole?

Potatoes that will hold their shape are best. White potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes, or Russet potatoes all work well in this recipe.

Can I make this in a Crockpot?

Yes, follow the recipe as written then layer it in the crockpot and cook on high for 2-3 hours.

Can I skip the canned soup mixture?

Yes! You can easily make a delicious homemade creamy sauce and add it to the cooked ground beef. All you need is butter, flour, chicken or beef broth, milk, and a few seasonings. Follow the sauce recipe from my Chicken Stuffing Casserole Recipe.

This is the best cheesy hamburger potato casserole recipe! I promise that everyone is going to love this comforting and delicious dish and it’s so simple to make. Don’t forget to save the recipe by pinning it for later!


Reader Interactions

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  1. Ginny says

    5 stars
    I made this casserole for my family and it was a hit! i love that its easy to make and it doesnt break the budget,

    • Little Sunny Kitchen says

      Ginny, thank you so much for your kind comments! I’m so happy to hear that your family loved the casserole.

  2. Abby says

    5 stars
    My whole family loved this casserole, even my little kids! Was easy to make and tasted great leftover.

    • Little Sunny Kitchen says

      That’s so great to hear, Abby! Thank you for the kind review!

  3. Sharina says

    5 stars
    Brought this hamburger potato casserole to a family dinner gathering and everyone liked it, even the picky! It was packed with flavors and so hearty!

    • Little Sunny Kitchen says

      Thank you, Sharina, for the great review! I’m so happy everyone loved this casserole!





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