Best 5-ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe

The Coziest Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe for Families

Crafting a delightful hamburger and potato casserole with just five ingredients sounds like a culinary adventure you’ll want to savor.

Comfort meets simplicity in this hearty dish that transforms basic pantry staples into a mouthwatering meal.

Weeknight dinners can be a breeze when smart cooking strategies come into play.

Home cooks love how quickly this casserole comes together without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.

Layers of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese create a satisfying combination that hits all the right notes.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness, making this recipe a true winner for busy households.

Grab a fork and get ready to enjoy a classic comfort food that’s sure to become a family favorite.

Serving Suggestions for 5-Ingredient Hamburger and Potato Casserole

  • Hearty Family Dinner Night: Serve this casserole as a complete meal with a crisp green salad and garlic bread to create a satisfying, comforting dinner that everyone will love.
  • Potluck Party Favorite: Bring this crowd-pleasing dish to gatherings, where its warm, cheesy goodness will make you the star of the potluck with minimal preparation effort.
  • Rustic Lunch Companion: Pack leftovers in a lunch container for a delicious midday meal that reheats perfectly and provides a filling, nostalgic comfort food experience.
  • Weeknight Meal Lifesaver: Prepare this quick casserole on busy evenings when you need a no-fuss, budget-friendly meal that comes together in just over an hour and pleases the whole family.

Storage Tips for 5-Ingredient Hamburger and Potato Casserole

  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Store the casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping it sealed to preserve flavor and texture.
  • Cool the casserole completely before transferring to storage containers to prevent condensation and potential sogginess.
  • Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.

FAQs

  • Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes, ground turkey or ground chicken work perfectly as substitutes for beef in this casserole recipe.

  • How thin should I slice the potatoes?

Slice potatoes about 1/4 inch thick for even cooking and the best texture throughout the casserole.

  • Is this recipe budget-friendly?

Absolutely! With just 5 ingredients and simple preparation, this casserole is very economical and feeds a family easily.

  • Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve. Just add 10-15 minutes to baking time if cooking from cold.

5-Ingredient Hamburger and Potato Casserole Guide

  • Craft a Comforting Family Feast: This hearty casserole transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal that brings everyone to the table with joy.
  • Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Combine just five ingredients and let the oven do the hard work, creating a delicious dinner without complicated cooking techniques.
  • Budget-Friendly Culinary Magic: Affordable ground beef, potatoes, and pantry staples come together to create a satisfying dish that stretches your grocery budget without compromising taste.
  • Versatile Weeknight Winner: Perfect for busy families, this one-dish wonder works as a complete meal that can be quickly assembled and delivers guaranteed smiles around the dinner table.

Ingredients in 5-Ingredient Hamburger and Potato Casserole

Main Protein:
  • Ground Beef: A hearty protein source that adds rich flavor to the casserole.
Vegetables:
  • Onions, Potatoes: Onions provide a savory base, while potatoes create a comforting, filling foundation for the dish.
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup, Shredded Cheese: Cream of mushroom soup creates a creamy sauce that helps bind the ingredients, and cheese adds a melty, golden topping for extra richness.

Directions for 5-Ingredient Hamburger and Potato Casserole

Directions for 5-Ingredient Hamburger and Potato Casserole

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C) and get ready for a mouthwatering meal.

Step 2: Brown The Savory Meat Mixture

Grab a skillet and cook the ground beef with onions until they’re beautifully browned.

Make sure to drain away any extra grease for a lighter dish.

Step 3: Create A Potato Foundation

Grab your casserole dish and layer those thinly sliced potatoes to create a delicious base for your meal.

Ensure the dish is well-greased to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Build Flavor Layers

Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the potato layer.

Then, gently pour the cream of mushroom soup across the top, creating a creamy blanket of deliciousness.

Step 5: First Baking Session

Cover the dish with foil and slide it into the preheated oven.

Let it bake for a full hour, allowing the potatoes to become tender and soak up all those incredible flavors.

Step 6: Cheese Finale

Pull the casserole out and remove the foil.

Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese across the top. Pop it back in the oven uncovered for 10 more minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbly masterpiece.

Step 7: Rest And Serve

Give the casserole a few minutes to cool down. This helps the layers set and makes serving much easier.

Slice, serve, and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement!

Tips for 5-Ingredient Hamburger and Potato Casserole

  • Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
  • Select lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier dish without compromising flavor.
  • Use low-sodium cream of mushroom soup to control salt content and make the recipe more diet-friendly.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or pepper jack for added depth and personalized taste.
  • Allow casserole to rest briefly after baking to help it set and make serving easier without falling apart.

Flavor Variations for 5-Ingredient Hamburger and Potato Casserole

  • Vegetarian Potato Bake: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a meat-free version. Use vegetable cream soup as a substitute.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Casserole: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrates. Maintain the same cooking method and cheese topping.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Check labels carefully to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Spicy Southwest Casserole: Add diced green chilies, cumin, and replace regular cheese with pepper jack for a zesty flavor profile.
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Best 5-ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe

Best 5-ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe


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4.8 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty hamburger & potato casserole brings comfort to weeknight dinners with simple, satisfying ingredients. Family-friendly layers of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese create a delicious one-dish meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion

Starches and Vegetables:

  • 4 potatoes

Dairy and Binding Ingredients:

  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup shredded cheese

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing for a hearty comfort meal.
  2. Sauté ground beef and onions in a skillet over medium heat, cooking until meat turns rich brown and onions become translucent, then carefully drain accumulated fat.
  3. Arrange potato slices in a uniform layer across the bottom of a greased casserole dish, creating a foundational base for the meal.
  4. Distribute the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the potato base, ensuring complete coverage.
  5. Gently pour cream of mushroom soup across the beef layer, spreading it smoothly to create a creamy binding element.
  6. Seal the casserole dish with aluminum foil, then bake for 60 minutes, allowing the potatoes to become tender and absorb the rich flavors.
  7. Remove foil after initial cooking, sprinkle shredded cheese generously over the surface, and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
  8. Allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes after removing from oven, enabling flavors to settle and making serving easier.

Notes

  • Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
  • Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier version of the dish.
  • Consider swapping cream of mushroom soup with a homemade cream sauce for a fresher, less processed option.
  • Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or carrots for increased nutrition and flavor complexity.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 520 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Amanda Bennett

Amanda Bennett

Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing and Development, Culinary Instruction, Food Styling and Photography

Education

​Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
​Diploma in Culinary Arts
Emphasized practical cooking skills, nutrition, and kitchen management.​

Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Cambridge, MA
Certificate in Professional Pastry Arts
Specialized in baking techniques, dessert presentation, and flavor profiling


Amanda’s roots run deep in the Southern hills, where every meal started fresh from the garden and every dessert came with a story. She trained at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and sharpened her pastry skills at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, blending classic technique with everyday charm.
At The Liffey, Amanda’s passion is making baking and home cooking feel natural and joyful. She’s all about single recipes that are simple enough for a busy afternoon, but special enough to make someone’s day a little sweeter.

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