Hamburger & Potato Casserole
Hamburger & Potato Casserole is a comforting, hearty one-dish meal combining seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese. Easy to prepare in under an hour, this family-friendly casserole is perfect for cozy dinners, meal prep, and customizable to suit dietary preferences.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced or diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or cheese blend of choice)
- 1 cup milk or cream
- 2 tbsp butter or oil (for sautéing and greasing baking dish)
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp dried thyme (or a pinch)
- Prepare the Ingredients: Peel and thinly slice or dice the potatoes. Dice the onion and measure out the seasonings to have everything ready for smooth cooking and flavorful layering.
- Cook the Ground Beef and Onion: Heat butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onions until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until fully browned. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme. Drain excess fat to prevent greasiness.
- Layer the Casserole: Lightly grease a baking dish. Start with a layer of thinly sliced potatoes, followed by a layer of the cooked beef and onion mixture. Repeat layering, finishing with a final layer of potatoes on top.
- Add Milk and Cheese: Pour the milk or cream evenly over the layered casserole. Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously on top to create a golden, melty crust after baking.
- Bake Until Perfect: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 45 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking to brown the cheese nicely. Check doneness by piercing potatoes with a fork; they should be tender.
Notes
- Use uniform, thin potato slices for even cooking and texture.
- Drain excess fat from the browned beef to avoid soggy casserole layers.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to set up for easier serving.
- Cover with foil while baking to keep potatoes moist and prevent cheese burning.
- Experiment with different cheese blends for added flavor variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: hamburger casserole, potato casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, family dinner, easy casserole, baked casserole, cheese casserole