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
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
Instructions
- Heat the oven to create a warm cooking environment at 350°F (175°C), preparing for a hearty casserole preparation.
- Sauté ground beef in a skillet, incorporating finely chopped onions and minced garlic, carefully eliminating any accumulated grease to ensure a lean protein base.
- Combine thawed hash browns with cream of mushroom soup, introducing sour cream and seasoning with salt and pepper, creating a creamy, well-integrated mixture.
- Distribute half of the hash brown blend across the bottom of a generously greased baking dish, establishing a foundational layer.
- Evenly disperse the seasoned ground beef over the initial hash brown surface, creating a robust protein layer.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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