Quick Family Favorite: Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe

When hunger strikes, this easy 5-ingredient hamburger & potato casserole delivers pure comfort right to your plate.

Hearty ingredients come together with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Familiar flavors blend seamlessly in one simple dish that feels like a warm hug.

Kitchen novices and seasoned cooks alike can master this foolproof meal in minutes.

Minimal prep work means you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying.

Rich, savory layers promise to satisfy even the pickiest eaters at your table.

Grab a fork and get ready to dive into a delicious meal that brings everyone together.

Why You’ll Want Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe

• Quick Weeknight Savior: Whip up this hearty casserole in under an hour with minimal prep, perfect for busy families needing a satisfying dinner solution.
• Budget-Friendly Comfort: Rely on affordable ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and canned soup to create a delicious meal that won't break the bank.
• Crowd-Pleasing Simplicity: Kids and adults alike will love the cheesy, meaty layers that transform basic ingredients into a mouthwatering one-dish wonder.
• Minimal Cleanup Champion: Using just one baking dish means less kitchen mess and more time enjoying a delectable home-cooked meal together.

Inside A 5-Ingredient Hamburger Potato Casserole

• Ground Beef: Rich and hearty meat that creates the main protein layer of the casserole, best with 80/20 lean to fat ratio for optimal flavor.
• Onion: Adds depth and aromatic undertones to the meat, optional but recommended for enhanced taste.

• Potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold): Provides comforting, filling base for the casserole, Yukon gold offers a buttery texture while russet gives a more traditional potato profile.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creamy sauce that helps bind ingredients together and adds rich, savory background flavor.
• Shredded Cheese (Cheddar): Melts beautifully to create a golden, gooey topping, sharp cheddar provides more intense cheese flavor while mild cheddar offers a smoother taste.

5-Ingredient Hamburger Potato Casserole Directions

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Baking Dish

Crank up your oven to 375°F and generously coat a baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

This ensures your casserole will release easily and look perfectly golden.

Step 2: Cook Flavorful Ground Beef

In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until it’s no longer pink.

Break up the meat into small crumbles for even cooking.

If you’re using onions, chop and sauté them alongside the beef.

Season with salt and black pepper to enhance the meat’s natural flavors.

Step 3: Create Potato Base Layer

Grab your potatoes and slice them thinly using a sharp knife or mandoline.

Arrange these delicate potato slices in an even, overlapping pattern across the bottom of your greased baking dish.

This creates a delicious foundation for your casserole.

Step 4: Layer Beef And Creamy Sauce

Spread the cooked ground beef evenly over the potato layers.

Pour cream of mushroom soup across the top, ensuring it covers the beef completely.

The soup will create a rich, creamy texture that binds everything together.

Step 5: Bake And Melt Cheese

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the preheated oven.

Bake for 40 minutes, allowing the potatoes to become tender and absorb all the delicious flavors.

Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.

Step 6: Rest And Serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.

This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier.

Cut into generous portions and enjoy your hearty, comforting meal.

Five-Ingredient Hamburger Casserole The Pro Style

• Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create uniform, thin potato slices for even cooking and better texture.
• Remove excess grease from browned beef to prevent a greasy casserole and maintain a lighter, more appetizing dish.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like cheddar, mozzarella, or monterey jack for added flavor complexity.
• Substitute cream of mushroom soup with a gluten-free version or homemade cream sauce to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Incorporate diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach between potato layers for extra nutrition and color variation.

Hamburger & Potato Casserole for Later

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring minimal freezer burn.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.
• Heat individual portions in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and maintain texture.

Easy Sides for Hamburger & Potato Casserole

• Pair with Crisp Green Salad: Refresh the hearty casserole with a light, tangy salad featuring mixed greens, cucumber slices, and a zesty vinaigrette that cuts through the dish's richness.
• Match with Bold Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel to complement the beef's robust flavors and enhance the casserole's savory profile.
• Serve with Crunchy Garlic Bread: Add garlic bread on the side to provide a crispy texture contrast and soak up the delicious soup and cheese sauce from the casserole.
• Cool Down with Creamy Coleslaw: Introduce a cool, creamy coleslaw with a hint of tanginess to balance the warm, rich casserole and add a refreshing element to the meal.

Easy Hamburger Potato Bake Flavor Changes

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef with crumbled firm tofu or plant-based meat crumbles, using vegetable broth instead of cream of mushroom soup for a meat-free version.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets or sliced zucchini to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the casserole's creamy texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free, maintaining the original recipe's flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Substitute dairy cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives, and use coconut milk-based cream of mushroom soup for lactose-intolerant individuals.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes, you can easily substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork for a different flavor profile while keeping the same cooking method.

• Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months before baking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.

• What can I do if I don't have cream of mushroom soup?

Cream of chicken or cream of celery soup work great as alternatives. If you prefer, you can also make a homemade white sauce using milk, flour, and seasonings as a replacement.

• How can I make this recipe more nutritious?

Add extra vegetables like diced carrots, peas, or spinach between the potato and beef layers to boost the nutritional value and add more color and flavor to the casserole.

Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty hamburger & potato casserole delivers comfort food magic straight from midwestern kitchens. Creamy layers of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese create a satisfying meal perfect for hungry families seeking delicious simplicity.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Starch Base:

• 4 cups potatoes (russet or Yukon gold), peeled and sliced
• 1 onion, diced (optional)

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• 1 (10.5 ounces) can cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F and lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. In a skillet, crumble and sauté the ground beef until it turns a rich, caramel-brown color, incorporating finely chopped onions for extra depth of flavor and seasoning with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Create a delicate landscape of thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even, overlapping pattern for consistent cooking.
4. Distribute the savory beef mixture evenly over the potato foundation, creating a hearty layer of protein and texture.
5. Gently cascade the creamy mushroom soup across the beef, using the back of a spoon to spread it into a smooth, consistent blanket that will infuse moisture and richness throughout the casserole.
6. Shield the dish with aluminum foil, creating a protective cover that will trap steam and help tenderize the potatoes during the initial baking phase.
7. Slide the covered casserole into the preheated oven and allow it to bake for 40 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the potatoes to become fork-tender.
8. Remove the foil and sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese across the top, which will melt into a golden, bubbling crust.
9. Return the uncovered casserole to the oven for a final 10-minute transformation, watching as the cheese turns into a crisp, amber-hued blanket.
10. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven, allowing the layers to settle and making it easier to serve in neat, appetizing portions.

Notes

• Use starchy, waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for best texture and even cooking throughout the dish.
• Drain excess beef fat after browning to reduce heavy, greasy final result and improve overall dish healthiness.
• Consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary between potato layers for extra depth of flavor without complicating the simple recipe.
• Swap cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or homemade white sauce for gluten-free or lower-sodium alternative that maintains creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg