Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe
Hamburger potato casseroles originated during the Great Depression, when home cooks needed affordable, filling meals that could stretch limited ingredients. You'll love how this classic comfort dish transforms humble pantry staples into a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a satisfying one-pan meal that'll have your family asking for seconds. Want to know the secret to making this timeless recipe truly irresistible?
Recipe Highlights
- A classic hamburger potato casserole requires simple ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, cheese, and cream of mushroom soup that can be easily assembled.
- Layer thinly sliced potatoes, browned ground beef, and shredded cheese in a greased baking dish, creating a hearty and satisfying one-pan meal.
- Bake the casserole at 350°F for approximately 70 minutes, first covered and then uncovered to achieve a golden-brown, crispy top with melted cheese.
- Prepare the dish in advance and refrigerate, making it a convenient option for busy weeknight dinners or make-ahead meal planning for families.
- This versatile recipe allows for easy customization with potential ingredient substitutions and variations to suit different dietary preferences and taste requirements.
History
While casseroles have been a staple of American home cooking for generations, the hamburger potato casserole emerged as a quintessential mid-20th-century comfort food.
You'll find its roots deeply embedded in post-World War II cuisine, when convenience and hearty meals became paramount for busy families. Returning soldiers and working mothers sought quick, nutritious dishes that could feed multiple mouths efficiently.
The casserole's popularity surged in the 1950s and 1960s, driven by:
- Increasing availability of processed ingredients
- Rise of home refrigeration
- Growing middle-class suburban lifestyle
- Emergence of recipe-sharing cookbooks
These factors transformed simple ingredients into a beloved family dinner, symbolizing both practicality and comfort during a transformative era in American culinary history.
Recipe
Hamburger Potato Casserole combines hearty ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese into a comforting one-dish meal that satisfies hunger and brings families together around the dinner table.
This classic casserole transforms simple ingredients into a delicious and filling dinner that requires minimal preparation and delivers maximum flavor.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners. With just a few basic ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques, home cooks can create a memorable meal that feels both nostalgic and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 medium onion, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with diced onions over medium-high heat, breaking the meat into small pieces. Drain any excess fat and season the meat with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder.
Begin layering the casserole by placing half the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half the cooked meat mixture and half the shredded cheese. Spread the cream of mushroom soup evenly over the layer, then repeat with the remaining potatoes, meat, and cheese.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 60 minutes. After 60 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set and make cutting easier. For best results, slice potatoes uniformly thin and consider making the casserole ahead of time, as it reheats beautifully and often tastes even better the next day.
Cooking Steps
Start by browning your ground beef with diced onions in a large skillet, ensuring the meat is fully cooked and the onions are translucent.
Layer your thinly sliced potatoes in a greased baking dish, carefully alternating with the seasoned meat mixture and shredded cheese, creating a hearty foundation for your casserole.
Pour the cream of mushroom soup over the layers, making sure it's evenly distributed, then top with the remaining cheese before baking until the potatoes are tender and the cheese turns a beautiful golden brown.
Step 1. Brown Ground Beef
Fire up your skillet and get ready to transform ground beef into a delectable base for your hamburger potato casserole.
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add your pound of ground beef, breaking it into small, uniform crumbles with a wooden spatula.
As the meat begins to brown, dice your medium onion into small, consistent pieces, adding them to the sizzling beef.
- Cook until the meat is no longer pink
- Drain excess fat thoroughly
- Season with salt and pepper to taste
Watch for visual cues: beef should be golden brown, with no red or pink centers.
The onions will become translucent and fragrant, releasing a rich, savory aroma that signals your meat mixture is perfectly prepared for layering in your casserole.
Step 2. Layer Potato Slices
After browning the beef and onions, you'll want to prep your potato layers with precision and care.
Start by thinly slicing your potatoes—aim for uniform 1/8-inch thickness to ensure even cooking. A mandoline slicer works best, but a sharp knife can also do the job.
Grease your 9×13 baking dish, then carefully arrange the first layer of potato slices, slightly overlapping them to create a solid foundation.
Spread half the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly across the potatoes, ensuring complete coverage.
Sprinkle one cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the meat, allowing it to melt into the layers.
These initial layers are crucial—they'll set the stage for a rich, hearty casserole that promises comfort and satisfying flavor in every bite.
Step 3. Add Cream of Mushroom Soup
One crucial step in creating a mouthwatering hamburger potato casserole involves carefully integrating the cream of mushroom soup.
You'll want to spread the soup evenly across the layered potatoes and meat, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor distribution. The soup acts as a binding agent, adding moisture and creating a rich, creamy texture that elevates the entire dish.
- Open the can carefully
- Gently pour over the existing layers
- Use a spatula to spread uniformly
- Aim for complete, even coverage
This step is critical because the cream of mushroom soup:
- Prevents the casserole from becoming dry
- Adds depth to the overall flavor profile
- Creates a smooth, cohesive consistency
The soup's subtle mushroom undertones will complement the beef and potatoes perfectly.
Step 4. Sprinkle Remaining Cheese
Your final cheese layer will transform this hamburger potato casserole from good to absolutely delectable. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top layer, ensuring complete coverage of the potatoes and ground beef mixture.
Use a gentle, sweeping motion with your hand to distribute the cheese uniformly, which helps create a golden, bubbly crust during baking.
- Aim for consistent cheese distribution
- Cover entire surface area
- Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting
- Shake the dish gently to settle cheese
Before placing the casserole in the oven, press the cheese layer lightly with a spatula to help it adhere.
This final cheese layer will provide a rich, creamy finish that elevates the entire dish from simple to spectacular.
Step 5. Bake Until Golden Brown
While golden-brown perfection might seem challenging, baking your hamburger potato casserole is actually quite straightforward. Carefully place your covered casserole in a preheated 350°F oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and potatoes to soften during the initial 60-minute cooking period.
When the timer signals, remove the foil to expose the layers, which will help achieve that appetizing golden-brown crust.
Watch for these visual cues during the final 10 uncovered minutes:
- Cheese melting and turning slightly bubbly
- Potato edges becoming crisp and golden
- Top layer developing a light, appetizing brown color
Your casserole's surface should transform from pale to richly bronzed, signaling that it's ready to be removed from the oven. The golden-brown finish indicates perfect doneness and promises a deliciously crisp top layer.
Final Thoughts
Because comfort food brings families together, this hamburger potato casserole represents more than just a simple meal—it's a testament to home cooking's enduring charm.
You'll find that this dish transcends basic nutrition, creating moments of connection around the dinner table. The recipe's simplicity means you can confidently prepare a satisfying meal without extensive culinary training.
Remember that uniform potato slicing and proper seasoning are key to elevating the casserole from good to great.
Whether you're feeding a hungry family or preparing a make-ahead meal, this recipe offers flexibility and consistent deliciousness. Its adaptability makes it a reliable go-to for busy weeknights, ensuring you can serve a hearty, homemade dinner that everyone will appreciate.
