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Hamburger Potato Cheese Casserole

Hamburger Potato Cheese Casserole
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This easy Hamburger Potato Cheese Casserole is a comforting and crowd-pleasing dish featuring hearty ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or make-ahead meals, it combines protein, starch, and cheese into a rich, satisfying casserole that appeals to all ages while being budget-friendly and simple to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 4–5 medium Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (optional)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons butter or oil (for sautéing and greasing the dish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and dice the potatoes into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and a tender, cohesive base for the casserole.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef and Aromatics: In a skillet, heat butter or oil and sauté chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart and brown thoroughly. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Drain excess fat if desired.
  3. Mix the Creamy Sauce: In a bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream. Stir well until smooth to create a creamy binder for the casserole.
  4. Assemble the Casserole: Grease a baking dish with butter or oil. Layer the diced potatoes evenly on the bottom. Pour the cooked beef mixture over the potatoes. Spread the creamy sauce evenly over the beef and potatoes. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese (and mozzarella if using) on top.
  5. Bake Until Golden: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to become golden and bubbly.
  6. Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes after baking to set and enhance the flavors before serving.

Notes

  • Cut potatoes uniformly for consistent cooking time and texture.
  • Drain excess fat after browning ground beef to reduce greasiness.
  • Evenly layer ingredients to avoid dry spots or clumps.
  • Use sharp cheddar for best meltability and flavor.
  • Let casserole rest after baking to set and improve flavor.
  • Optional additions: bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach for extra nutrition and color.
  • Spicy variations: add jalapeños or cayenne pepper.
  • For gluten-free: ensure cream of mushroom soup is gluten-free or make your own sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hamburger casserole, potato casserole, cheese casserole, ground beef recipe, comfort food, easy weeknight dinner, make-ahead casserole, family meal

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/hamburger-potato-cheese-casserole/