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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F and lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- 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.
- Create a delicate landscape of thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even, overlapping pattern for consistent cooking.
- Distribute the savory beef mixture evenly over the potato foundation, creating a hearty layer of protein and texture.
- 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.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil, creating a protective cover that will trap steam and help tenderize the potatoes during the initial baking phase.
- 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.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese across the top, which will melt into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Return the uncovered casserole to the oven for a final 10-minute transformation, watching as the cheese turns into a crisp, amber-hued blanket.
- 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