Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

You'll love this classic comfort food that transforms simple ingredients into a hearty meal your whole family will devour. Hamburger hashbrown casserole isn't just another dinner—it's a nostalgic journey through mid-century home cooking that promises warmth and satisfaction. With just a few pantry staples, you'll create a budget-friendly dish that stretches dollars while filling hungry bellies. Curious how this humble casserole became a midwest kitchen staple?

Recipe Highlights

• A classic comfort food casserole combining ground beef, hashbrowns, and cheese, easily prepared in one baking dish for 6-8 servings.
• Requires simple ingredients like ground beef, frozen hashbrowns, cream of mushroom soup, onions, and cheddar cheese for a budget-friendly meal.
• Cooking process involves browning beef with onions, layering hashbrowns, adding soup and cheese, then baking at 350°F for approximately one hour.
• Customizable with optional seasonings like garlic powder and paprika, allowing home cooks to personalize the traditional Midwestern recipe to their taste.
• Perfect for meal preparation, the casserole can be made 24 hours in advance, refrigerated, and offers delicious leftovers that reheat well.

History

Although casseroles have been a staple of American home cooking for generations, the hamburger hashbrown casserole emerged as a practical solution during the mid-20th century economic challenges.

You'll find its origins deeply rooted in Depression-era resourcefulness, when families needed hearty meals that could stretch limited ingredients. Midwestern home cooks became particularly adept at transforming simple pantry staples into filling dishes that could feed large families affordably.

These casseroles represented more than just meals; they were culinary innovations born from necessity.

The combination of ground beef, potatoes, and canned soup created a budget-friendly, protein-packed dish that could easily feed six to eight people.

Recipe

Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole is a classic comfort food that brings together the heartiness of ground beef and the crispy texture of hashbrowns in one satisfying dish. This budget-friendly meal has been a family favorite for generations, offering a simple yet delicious solution for feeding a hungry crowd.

The beauty of this casserole lies in its simplicity and versatility, allowing home cooks to easily customize the dish while maintaining its core appeal. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a memorable meal that serves multiple people and provides delicious leftovers.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 package (30 oz) frozen hashbrowns
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 small onion, diced

Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a large casserole dish. In a skillet, brown the ground beef with diced onions until fully cooked, making sure to drain any excess fat. This step ensures that the meat is flavorful and not greasy.

Create the casserole by layering half of the thawed hashbrowns on the bottom of the dish, followed by the cooked beef mixture. Spread one can of cream of mushroom soup over the beef, then sprinkle half the shredded cheese.

Repeat the layers, ending with cheese on top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.

For best results, completely thaw the hashbrowns before assembling the casserole to ensure even cooking. You can prepare the dish up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it before baking, which makes it perfect for meal prep. If baking from cold, add an extra 15 minutes to the covered cooking time.

Leftover casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to three months, providing a convenient make-ahead meal option.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by browning the ground beef with diced onions in a large skillet, ensuring the meat is fully cooked and any excess fat is drained.

Next, layer your casserole dish with half the hashbrowns, then spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly across the potatoes, followed by a layer of cream of mushroom soup and a sprinkle of shredded cheese.

Finally, repeat the layering process, topping the casserole with the remaining cheese, and prepare to bake until the top turns a beautiful, golden-brown and the dish is bubbling with delicious promise.

Step 1. Brown Beef and Onions

Fire up your skillet and prepare to transform ground beef into a flavor-packed foundation for your casserole. Start by heating your pan over medium-high heat, ensuring it's hot before adding the meat. Break the 1 pound of ground beef into small chunks, allowing it to brown evenly and develop rich, caramelized edges.

• Dice the small onion into uniform pieces
• Add onions to the beef while cooking
• Stir frequently to prevent sticking

Your goal is to achieve a deep golden-brown color, which signals maximum flavor development.

Drain excess fat carefully, using a colander or slotted spoon to remove grease without losing those precious browned bits. The meat should be completely cooked through, with no pink remaining, creating a robust base that'll elevate your entire casserole.

Step 2. Layer Half of Hashbrowns

Take the first half of your thawed hashbrowns and spread them evenly across the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish, creating a uniform potato base that'll serve as the first delicious layer of your meal.

Use a spatula or your hands to ensure the hashbrowns are distributed uniformly, pressing them down gently to create a compact layer. The goal is a consistent thickness—about half an inch—that'll provide a solid foundation for your upcoming meat and cheese layers.

Pay attention to the corners and edges, filling in any gaps to prevent uneven cooking. This initial hashbrown layer will crisp up beautifully during baking, offering a golden, textured bottom to your hearty casserole that'll add incredible depth and crunch to every bite.

Step 3. Add Cream of Mushroom Soup

After spreading those golden hashbrowns into a perfect base, it's time to introduce the creamy binding agent that'll transform this casserole from good to unforgettable: cream of mushroom soup. Carefully open one full can of cream of mushroom soup and spread it evenly across the first layer of hashbrowns.

The soup acts as a crucial moisture barrier and flavor enhancer, creating a silky texture that'll bind your ingredients together. Use a spatula to ensure uniform coverage, gently spreading the soup from edge to edge of the casserole dish.

Don't worry about making it perfectly smooth; some variation adds rustic charm. The soup's rich, umami undertones will complement the ground beef and provide a luxurious backdrop for the melting cheese that'll soon join the party.

Step 4. Add Remaining Cheese

Because a perfect cheese topping can elevate your Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole from good to extraordinary, you'll want to sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese strategically across the top layer.

Distribute the cheese evenly, ensuring complete coverage from edge to edge of the casserole. Use gentle hand movements to create a uniform layer that'll melt beautifully during baking.

When sprinkling, aim for consistent coverage without overly compressing the cheese. The goal is a light, airy distribution that allows the cheese to melt into a golden, bubbling crust.

You'll know you've done it right when the top looks like a perfectly textured, golden-brown canvas of melted cheddar that promises a deliciously crispy finish to your comforting meal.

Step 5. Bake Until Golden Brown

Four essential steps will transform your Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole from a raw mixture into a golden, bubbling masterpiece of comfort food.

First, place the covered casserole in a preheated 350°F oven, allowing the initial 45-minute baking time to help ingredients meld and heat thoroughly.

Next, carefully remove the foil, exposing the top layer of cheese and potatoes to direct heat.

Watch for visual cues: the edges should start turning crispy, and the cheese should begin bubbling and browning.

Finally, bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve that perfect golden-brown color without burning.

You'll know it's ready when the top develops a delectable, crispy crust and the cheese melts into an irresistible, glossy layer that signals your casserole is perfectly cooked.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're looking for a crowd-pleasing dinner or a comforting meal that brings back childhood memories, this Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole will quickly become a family favorite.

It's an ideal recipe for busy weeknights, budget-conscious cooking, and satisfying hungry appetites with minimal preparation time. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity: you'll create a hearty meal using just five core ingredients that blend seamlessly in one baking dish.

Consider making extra to enjoy leftovers, as the casserole reheats wonderfully and maintains its delicious flavor profile. Pro tip: experiment with additional seasonings like garlic powder or paprika to personalize the recipe.

You'll love how this classic comfort food transforms humble ingredients into a memorable, filling dinner that'll have everyone asking for seconds.