easy Hamburger Potato Casserole

Enjoy a hearty and satisfying meal with ourHamburger Potato Casserole recipe. This one-dish wonder combines savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese in a comforting, easy-to-make casserole. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep!

Ingredients

1 pound crumbled ground beef
1 yellow onion, diced
3 to 4 pounds of potatoes, peeled and sliced
8 ounces, or more, Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 can Cheddar Cheese soup mix
12 ounces evaporated milk, or whole milk
½ cup milk
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper

How To Make

Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray.
Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet, cook the diced onion and ground beef until the meat is thoroughly browned and cooked through.
Layer Potatoes: Arrange a layer of sliced potatoes, about ¼ inch thick, at the bottom of the baking dish. Season with salt and pepper.
Add Meat and Cheese: Top the potato layer with about ⅓ of the cooked meat mixture, spreading it evenly. Follow with a layer of ⅓ of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Repeat Layers: Continue layering potatoes, meat, and cheese, ending with a final layer of cheese on top.
Combine Soup and Milk: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the Cheddar cheese soup mix, evaporated milk (or whole milk), and an additional ½ cup of milk. Season with more salt and pepper if desired.
Bake: Pour the soup and milk mixture over the layered casserole. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
Brown the Cheese: Remove the foil and return the casserole to the oven for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Serve: Check that the potatoes are tender; if not, bake a little longer. Once done, let the casserole cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6-8 Calories per serving: Approximately 450-550 calories (This will vary based on the exact ingredients used and portion sizes.)

Preparation Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

20 tips for making your Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole perfect every time! 🧀🥔

1. Use Starchy Potatoes: Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal. They absorb flavors and hold their shape better than waxy potatoes.
2. Uniform Slicing: Slice potatoes evenly using a mandoline or a sharp knife (¼-inch thick) to ensure even cooking.
3. Parboil the Potatoes: If you’re short on time, parboil the potato slices for 5-7 minutes before layering them. This ensures they soften faster during baking.
4. Drain Ground Beef: After browning the beef, drain excess grease to avoid a greasy casserole.
5. Season Each Layer: Don’t just season the top—season each layer of potatoes, beef, and cheese for maximum flavor.
6. Add Herbs for Flavor: Add fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley to the meat mixture for a richer taste.
7. Cheese Variety: Mix cheddar with mozzarella, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack for a more complex cheese flavor.
8. Cheese Quality Matters: Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded, as it melts better and has fewer additives.
9. Thicken the Sauce: If you want a creamier consistency, whisk a tablespoon of flour into the cheese soup mixture to thicken the sauce.
10. Use Evaporated Milk: For a creamier and richer sauce, evaporated milk works wonders. You can also use half-and-half for extra richness.
11. Don’t Skip the Soup: The cheddar cheese soup helps bind everything together. You can substitute cream of mushroom or cream of chicken for a different flavor.
12. Add Veggies: Add vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra nutrients and texture.
13. Use a Layer of Onion Rings: For a crunchy topping, mix in fried onions or crushed onion rings with the cheese for the final layer.
14. Bacon Boost: Sprinkle some crumbled cooked bacon between the layers for a smoky flavor.
15. Cover and Bake: Keep the casserole covered with foil during the first hour of baking to retain moisture and ensure the potatoes cook evenly.
16. Crispy Top: For a crunchy, golden top, remove the foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
17. Let It Rest: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking to firm up before serving.
18. Check Potato Doneness: Pierce the potatoes with a fork at the 1-hour mark. If they’re still firm, bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
19. Pre-Bake for Meal Prep: Make the casserole a day ahead, refrigerate it, and reheat it before serving. The flavors will meld beautifully overnight.
20. Garnish for Freshness: Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives over the top before serving for a pop of color and flavor.

These tips will ensure your Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole comes out flavorful, cheesy, and perfectly cooked every time!

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Hamburger Potato Casserole

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Ingredients

  

• 1 pound crumbled ground beef
• 1 yellow onion diced
• 3 to 4 pounds of potatoes peeled and sliced
• 8 ounces or more, Cheddar Cheese, shredded
• 1 can Cheddar Cheese soup mix
• 12 ounces evaporated milk or whole milk
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper

Instructions

 

• Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray.
• Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet, cook the diced onion and ground beef until the meat is thoroughly browned and cooked through.
• Layer Potatoes: Arrange a layer of sliced potatoes, about ¼ inch thick, at the bottom of the baking dish. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add Meat and Cheese: Top the potato layer with about ⅓ of the cooked meat mixture, spreading it evenly. Follow with a layer of ⅓ of the shredded cheddar cheese.
• Repeat Layers: Continue layering potatoes, meat, and cheese, ending with a final layer of cheese on top.
• Combine Soup and Milk: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the Cheddar cheese soup mix, evaporated milk (or whole milk), and an additional ½ cup of milk. Season with more salt and pepper if desired.
• Bake: Pour the soup and milk mixture over the layered casserole. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
• Brown the Cheese: Remove the foil and return the casserole to the oven for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
• Serve: Check that the potatoes are tender; if not, bake a little longer. Once done, let the casserole cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6-8 Calories per serving: Approximately 450-550 calories (This will vary based on the exact ingredients used and portion sizes.)

Preparation Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes