LUNCH

The BEST Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole: Quick, Cheesy, and Utterly Satisfying! 🥔🍔🧀

When you need a hearty, no-fuss meal that the whole family will love, this Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole is your answer! Featuring seasoned ground beef, tender sliced potatoes, and a creamy, cheesy sauce, it’s baked to golden perfection.2 This dish is pure comfort food, ideal for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner. It’s so simple, even a novice cook can master it!

What Makes This “The Best”: Simplicity, Creaminess, and Great Flavor ✨

  • Minimal Ingredients: Relies on common pantry staples for quick assembly.3
  • “Cream Of” Soup Magic: Condensed cream of mushroom (or chicken/celery) soup provides an instant, rich, and creamy base without needing to make a roux from scratch.
  • No Pre-Boiling Potatoes: Thinly sliced potatoes cook perfectly in the casserole, absorbing the flavors of the sauce.
  • Flavorful Beef: Simple seasonings for the ground beef ensure it’s delicious on its own and complements the other ingredients.
  • Perfect Cheese Melt: A generous topping of shredded cheddar melts into a glorious golden crust.

Ingredients: Your Easy Casserole Essentials 🛒

This recipe yields 6 servings.

  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)4
  • 1 lb (450g) Lean Ground Beef (85-90% lean recommended)5
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced (optional, but recommended for flavor)6
  • 1 tsp Salt, divided
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper, divided
  • ½ tsp Garlic Powder (for beef)
  • ½ tsp Onion Powder (for beef)
  • 1 (10.5 oz / 298g) can Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (or cream of chicken/celery)7
  • ¾ cup (180ml) Milk (any kind)
  • 3 medium Russet Potatoes (about 1.5 lbs / 680g), peeled and thinly sliced (approx. ⅛ to ¼ inch thick)
  • 2 cups (220g) Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided

Equipment Needed:

  • Large skillet
  • 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk or spoon

Preparation Pas-à-Pas: Building Your Quick & Delicious Casserole 📝

Part 1: Prepare the Beef & Sauce (Approx. 15 minutes)

  1. Preheat Oven & Prep Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).8 Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until it’s browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
  3. Drain & Season: Carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet. Stir in the minced garlic (if using) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Season the beef mixture with ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well to combine. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Make Creamy Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth. Season with the remaining ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper.

Part 2: Assemble and Bake (Approx. 10 minutes assembly, 60-75 minutes bake)

  1. Prepare Potatoes: While the beef cooks, peel and thinly slice your potatoes. Aim for consistent thickness for even cooking. (A mandoline slicer is great for this, but a sharp knife works too!)
  2. Layer 1 (Potatoes): Arrange about half of the thinly sliced potatoes in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping if needed.
  3. Layer 2 (Beef): Spread all of the cooked and seasoned ground beef and onion mixture evenly over the potatoes.
  4. Layer 3 (Soup Mixture): Pour about half of the creamy soup mixture evenly over the ground beef layer.
  5. Layer 4 (Potatoes & Soup): Arrange the remaining sliced potatoes over the soup mixture. Pour the remaining creamy soup mixture evenly over the top, making sure to spread it out to cover the potatoes as much as possible, as this liquid will help them cook.
  6. Cover & Bake (Initial): Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the potatoes are almost tender when pierced with a fork. (Cooking time will vary depending on potato thickness.)
  8. Add Cheese & Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven. Carefully remove the foil. Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
  9. Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
  10. Rest & Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the sauce to set and makes for easier serving.

Pro Tips for the BEST Easy Casserole ✨

  • Thin & Even Potatoes: This is the most crucial tip! Slicing potatoes thinly and uniformly ensures they cook through completely and evenly.
  • Don’t Skimp on Seasoning: Even with condensed soup, seasoning the ground beef and the soup mixture adds a lot of flavor depth.
  • Drain Grease: Draining excess fat from the beef prevents the casserole from becoming greasy.
  • Cover for Tenderness: Covering the casserole for the initial bake traps steam, which helps the potatoes cook beautifully.
  • Optional Flavor Boosts:
    • Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the ground beef.
    • Stir in a handful of frozen peas or corn with the beef for extra veggies.
    • A pinch of smoked paprika in the beef or soup mixture adds a nice warmth.

Creative Variations & Customizations 🌈

  • Soup Swap: Use cream of chicken, cream of celery, or even cheddar cheese soup instead of cream of mushroom.
  • Cheese Variety: Mix in some Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend of cheeses with the cheddar.
  • Add Veggies: Sauté diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or green beans with the onion and ground beef.
  • Spicier Kick: Add a few extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
  • Homemade Cream Sauce: If you prefer to avoid condensed soups, you can make a simple béchamel sauce (roux with butter/flour + milk) and season it well.

Serving Suggestions 🍽️

This Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole is a complete meal on its own. However, it pairs well with:

  • A crisp, fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette.
  • Warm dinner rolls or garlic bread for soaking up the creamy sauce.

Storage & Reheating Tips 🧊🗓️

  • Storage: Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheating (Individual Portions): Reheat in the microwave until warmed through. You may add a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
  • Reheating (Whole Casserole): Cover with foil and reheat in a 325°F (160°C) oven for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.9 Remove foil for the last few minutes if you want to re-crisp the cheese.
  • Freezing: This casserole freezes well!
    • Baked & Cooled: Once completely cooled, cut into portions or leave whole. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
    • Unbaked: Assemble the casserole completely (but don’t bake it). Wrap tightly as described above. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed, potentially adding an extra 15-20 minutes to the covered baking time.