Cozy Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Recipe for Dinner Joy

Savory hamburger hash brown casserole combines comfort food magic in one incredible dish.

Layers of crispy potatoes intermingle with seasoned ground beef for a mouthwatering experience.

Hearty ingredients nestle together, creating a satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Cheese melts perfectly throughout, adding richness to every single bite.

Weekend dinner warriors will absolutely adore this simple yet impressive recipe.

Weeknight cooking becomes a breeze with such a straightforward and delicious approach.

Cooking Hash Brown Casserole With Hamburger

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F and get ready for some serious comfort food magic.

Step 2: Sizzle the Beef

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Drain away any extra grease to keep things light and tasty.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Potato Mixture

• Frozen hash browns
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Sour cream
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything until it’s well-blended and looking irresistible.

Step 4: Layer the Base

Grease your baking dish and spread out half of the potato mixture, creating a delicious foundation.

Step 5: Add the Meaty Layer

Distribute the cooked beef evenly over the potato base, ensuring every bite will be packed with flavor.

Step 6: Top and Cheese It Up

Cover the beef with the remaining potato mixture, then generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes.

Watch for a golden, bubbly top that screams “eat me!”

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking.

This helps it set and makes serving easier.

Dive in and enjoy your ultimate comfort meal!

Hash Brown Casserole Made With Pro Savvy

• Remove all excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a crisp, clean flavor profile.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like monterey jack or pepper jack for added depth and excitement in taste.
• Swap full-fat ingredients with reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup, low-fat sour cream, and part-skim cheddar to create a healthier version.
• Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the beef layer for extra nutrition and robust flavor complexity.
• Sprinkle crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs on top before baking to create a delightful crunchy golden crust.

Save Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Easily

• Store leftover casserole in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Place a date label on the container.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Cover with foil to prevent burning.
• Heat individual portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even warming. Add a splash of milk to restore moisture if needed.

Companion Picks for Hash Brown Casserole

• Elevate Flavor Combinations: Hearty Red Wine Pairing
• A robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon complements the rich beef and cheese, cutting through the casserole's creamy texture with its bold tannins and enhancing the overall savory experience.
• Refresh with Crisp Side Salad: Green Counterpoint
• Prepare a tangy mixed green salad with vinaigrette dressing to balance the heavy casserole, adding brightness and lightness to the meal while providing a refreshing contrast to the dense, cheesy dish.
• Cool Beverage Match: Craft Beer Selection
• Choose a medium-bodied amber ale or hoppy IPA that stands up to the casserole's robust flavors, with enough carbonation to cleanse the palate between bites and enhance the meal's comfort food profile.
• Zesty Condiment Companion: Homemade Salsa
• Whip up a quick fresh salsa with diced tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapeños to add a vibrant, spicy kick that cuts through the casserole's richness and introduces a bright, fresh element to the plate.

Hash Brown Casserole with Beef Tweaks

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a meat-free version that maintains hearty texture and protein content.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and confirm hash browns are gluten-free certified to make the entire casserole safe for sensitive diets.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap traditional hash browns with cauliflower hash browns or shredded turnips to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping similar cooking method.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chiles, jalapeños, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to create a zesty, southwestern-inspired flavor profile.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen hash browns instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen hash browns work perfectly. Thaw and drain them well before mixing with other ingredients to prevent excess moisture.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! It’s a hearty, cheesy dish most kids love. The combination of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese makes it a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

You can prepare the casserole up to a day in advance. Assemble all layers, cover with foil, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove from fridge 30 minutes before cooking and add a few extra minutes to baking time.

• What type of ground beef works best?

Lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15) is ideal. It provides good flavor without making the dish too greasy. Just be sure to drain excess fat after cooking.

Why Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Recipe Feels So Satisfying

Weeknight Wonder Meal: Perfect for busy families needing a quick, satisfying dinner that comes together with minimal effort.

Comfort Food Champion: Delivers hearty, cheesy goodness that feels like a warm hug, combining classic ground beef with crispy hash browns for maximum flavor.

Kid-Approved Delight: Combines familiar ingredients kids love – beef, cheese, and potatoes – making mealtime stress-free and enjoyable for parents.

Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses affordable, readily available ingredients that stretch to feed multiple people without breaking the bank, ideal for large families or tight grocery budgets.

Essentials For Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

• Ground Beef: Lean protein that forms the hearty foundation of the casserole, best when freshly ground.
• Frozen Hash Browns: Convenient potato base that adds crispy texture and substantial volume to the dish, choose shredded style for best results.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp flavor that melts beautifully and creates a golden, creamy topping.
• Sour Cream: Adds richness and tangy depth to the casserole's overall flavor profile.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creamy base that helps bind ingredients and provides additional savory notes.
• Butter: Enhances flavor and helps create a golden, crispy top layer.

• Onion: Provides sweet and savory undertones to the casserole.
• Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic flavor to complement the meat and potatoes.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall taste of the dish.
• Pepper: Adds mild heat and depth to the casserole's seasoning.

Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comfort meets convenience in this hearty hamburger hash brown casserole, blending savory ground beef with crispy potato layers. Cheesy, satisfying, and perfect for family dinners, you’ll find this dish becoming a new weeknight favorite that brings everyone together around the table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Starches and Vegetables:

• 1 package (30 ounces / 850 grams) frozen hash browns
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy and Seasoning:

• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 milliliters) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to create a warm cooking environment at 350°F (175°C), preparing for a hearty casserole preparation.
2. Sauté ground beef in a skillet, incorporating finely chopped onions and minced garlic, carefully eliminating any accumulated grease to ensure a lean protein base.
3. Combine thawed hash browns with cream of mushroom soup, introducing sour cream and seasoning with salt and pepper, creating a creamy, well-integrated mixture.
4. Distribute half of the hash brown blend across the bottom of a generously greased baking dish, establishing a foundational layer.
5. Evenly disperse the seasoned ground beef over the initial hash brown surface, creating a robust protein layer.
6. Complete the casserole by covering the beef with the remaining hash brown mixture, then generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top for a golden, melted finish.
7. Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 45-50 minutes until the surface transforms into a crispy, bubbling golden-brown landscape.
8. Remove from the oven and permit the casserole to rest momentarily, enabling the ingredients to settle and flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

• Customize the heat level by adding spicy jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the ground beef for extra kick.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that keeps the dish protein-packed.
• Enhance the crispy top by broiling the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking, creating a golden, crunchy cheese layer that adds delightful texture.
• Prepare this dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, making it perfect for meal prep or busy weeknight dinners.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg