Description
Hamburger Potato Casserole is a comforting and hearty baked dish featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, tender thinly sliced potatoes, and a creamy mushroom sauce, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. It’s a perfect family-friendly meal that combines savory flavors and a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
Potato Layer
- 3 cups potatoes, thinly sliced
Sauce
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping and Preparation
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish thoroughly with 1 tablespoon of butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are softened, making sure to stir occasionally. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Mix Creamy Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth to create the flavorful creamy sauce that will bind the casserole layers.
- Layer Potatoes: Arrange a layer of thinly sliced potatoes evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This forms the base of the casserole and ensures even cooking.
- Add Beef Layer: Spoon the cooked ground beef and onion mixture evenly over the potato layer, spreading it out for uniform coverage.
- Spread Sauce: Pour and spread some of the creamy soup mixture over the beef layer to add moisture and flavor.
- Repeat Layers: Continue layering the potatoes, ground beef mixture, and soup sauce until all ingredients have been used, finishing with a potato layer or as evenly distributed as possible.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. This allows the potatoes to cook through and the flavors to meld.
- Add Cheese and Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil carefully, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top, and return the dish to the oven. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes outside the oven to set and make serving easier. Then portion and enjoy your hearty hamburger potato casserole.
Notes
- Slice the potatoes thinly to ensure even cooking and tenderness throughout the casserole.
- For added flavor and texture, consider adding sliced mushrooms or bell peppers to the beef layer before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
