Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe

Hamburger potato casserole traces its roots to Depression-era home cooking, when resourceful cooks transformed simple ingredients into nourishing meals. You'll discover this humble dish isn't just another weeknight recipe—it's a nostalgic comfort food that bridges generations. With layered potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy sauce, this casserole promises a hearty meal that'll have your family requesting seconds. Want to learn how to transform basic pantry staples into a culinary classic that's both economical and delicious?

Recipe Highlights

• A classic hamburger potato casserole combines ground beef, sliced potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and shredded cheddar cheese in a single, hearty dish.
• Brown ground beef thoroughly, layer with thinly sliced potatoes, and pour cream of mushroom soup over the ingredients before baking.
• Bake the casserole covered with foil, then uncover and sprinkle cheese on top, cooking until the cheese is melted and golden.
• This midcentury comfort food is budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and perfect for busy families seeking a satisfying weeknight meal.
• Customize the recipe by adding vegetables like bell peppers or corn, and experiment with spices such as paprika and garlic powder.

History

Since the mid-20th century, casseroles like this hamburger potato dish have been a quintessential part of American home cooking. You'll find this recipe reflects the post-World War II era's emphasis on convenient, hearty meals that could feed families quickly and affordably.

Suburban kitchens transformed during this period, with working mothers seeking efficient cooking techniques that didn't sacrifice flavor. Casseroles emerged as culinary solutions, combining protein, starch, and vegetables in one dish.

The hamburger potato casserole specifically represents economic cooking: using inexpensive ground beef, readily available potatoes, and pantry staples like canned soup. These meals weren't just about nutrition; they symbolized home comfort, familial connection, and practical midcentury domesticity.

Recipe

Hamburger Potato Casserole is a classic American comfort food that brings together hearty ground beef, tender potatoes, and creamy cheese in one satisfying dish.

This easy-to-prepare meal has been a family favorite for generations, offering a simple yet delicious solution for busy weeknight dinners. Perfect for feeding a hungry family or gathering with friends, this casserole combines simple ingredients into a memorable and filling meal that appeals to both kids and adults.

Its layered construction and rich flavors make it a go-to recipe for home cooks looking for a reliable and tasty dinner option.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 4 large potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 medium onion, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onions over medium-high heat, ensuring the meat is fully cooked and no pink remains.

Drain excess fat and season with salt and pepper.

Begin layering the casserole by placing half the thinly sliced potatoes on the bottom of the baking dish, followed by half the meat mixture.

Repeat these layers, then pour the cream of mushroom soup evenly over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 60 minutes, ensuring the potatoes become tender.

After the initial baking time, remove the foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts and develops a light golden color.

Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.

For best results, slice potatoes uniformly thin to promote even cooking, and consider preparing the casserole in advance by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking. If cooking directly from the refrigerator, add an extra 15 minutes to the covered cooking time and always test potato tenderness with a fork before adding the cheese topping.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by thoroughly browning the ground beef, ensuring it's cooked completely and free from excess fat.

Layer your thinly sliced potatoes carefully in the baking dish, alternating with the meat mixture to create a hearty, even distribution of ingredients.

Pour the cream of mushroom soup evenly over the top, cover with foil, and bake until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded together beautifully.

Step 1. Brown Beef Thoroughly

Fire up your skillet and get ready to transform that ground beef into a flavor-packed foundation for your casserole.

Place your skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up the pound of ground beef into small, uniform crumbles as it sizzles.

Watch for these key visual cues:

• Meat turning from pink to rich brown
• No visible pink sections remaining
• Fat rendering and separating

Add your diced onions midway through cooking, letting them caramelize slightly and infuse the meat with deeper flavor.

Remember to drain excess fat completely—this prevents a greasy final dish and ensures a cleaner, more concentrated beef taste.

Properly browned beef creates a robust base layer that'll make your hamburger potato casserole irresistibly delicious, with each bite packed with savory, well-developed meat flavor.

Step 2. Layer Sliced Potatoes

Potato precision transforms this casserole from good to great, so grab your sharpest knife and cutting board for the layering stage.

Slice potatoes uniformly thin—about ⅛-inch thick—ensuring even cooking and consistent texture. You'll want to create two symmetrical layers that will become the foundation of your dish.

Start by greasing your 9×13 baking dish, then carefully arrange the first half of your potato slices across the bottom, slightly overlapping edges.

Spread the browned beef and onion mixture evenly over these first potatoes, creating a robust base layer.

Then, repeat the process: layer the remaining potato slices on top, covering the meat completely. Each layer should look neat and intentional, promising a well-structured final casserole.

Step 3. Pour Cream Soup

After carefully arranging those potato layers, the cream of mushroom soup becomes your flavor-binding agent, transforming individual ingredients into a cohesive, mouthwatering casserole.

Slowly pour the entire can of cream of mushroom soup directly over the layered potatoes and ground beef, ensuring even distribution. Use the back of a spoon to spread the soup, creating a uniform coverage that will help:

• Moisten the casserole
• Add creamy texture
• Enhance overall flavor profile

The soup acts as a critical binding element, preventing dryness and infusing the dish with rich, savory undertones.

Tilt the baking dish slightly to help the soup reach all layers, guaranteeing that every bite will be deliciously seasoned. This step is crucial for achieving that classic, comforting casserole consistency that makes this recipe a family favorite.

Step 4. Cover With Foil

The aluminum shield becomes your casserole's protective companion, ensuring even cooking and moisture retention. When covering your hamburger potato casserole, use heavy-duty aluminum foil that fully seals the 9×13 baking dish, creating a steamy environment that prevents surface drying.

Key foil-covering techniques include:

• Tent the foil slightly above the casserole's surface
• Crimp edges tightly around the dish's perimeter
• Create a loose covering that allows slight steam circulation

Position the foil with the dull side facing down to reflect heat most efficiently. Press the edges firmly to create a tight seal, trapping moisture and allowing potatoes to steam tenderly.

This method guarantees uniform heat distribution, preventing dry edges and ensuring your layers cook evenly throughout the 60-minute baking process.

Step 5. Bake Uncovered

Once you've carefully covered the casserole and completed the initial 60-minute baking phase, it's time to transform your dish by removing the foil and revealing its golden potential.

Gently pull back the aluminum foil, exposing the layered potatoes and ground beef. The aroma of melted cheese and savory meat will start to fill your kitchen.

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top, covering the surface in a uniform layer.

Return the uncovered dish to the 350°F oven, allowing the cheese to:

• Melt completely
• Develop a light golden-brown color
• Create a slightly crispy top

Bake for an additional 10 minutes, watching carefully to prevent over-browning. The cheese should look glossy and appetizing when done.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a busy parent seeking a quick dinner solution or a home cook craving nostalgic comfort food, this hamburger potato casserole offers a reliable and satisfying meal that'll become a family favorite.

It's a versatile dish that adapts easily to your kitchen skills and available ingredients. You can customize the recipe by adding spices like paprika or garlic powder, or incorporating vegetables such as bell peppers or corn for extra nutrition.

Make sure to slice potatoes uniformly and drain meat thoroughly for the best texture and flavor. This one-dish wonder not only saves you time on cleanup but also provides a hearty, budget-friendly meal that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Experiment and make it your own signature family recipe.