Description
Hearty hamburger potato casserole delivers comfort on a plate with layers of ground beef, potatoes, and creamy cheese. Simple ingredients combine for a satisfying meal that families will eagerly devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables:
- 5 to 6 medium potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 1 cup (236 milliliters) milk (whole, 2%, or milk alternative)
- 1 cup (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Preparation:
- Butter or cooking spray for greasing the dish
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, carefully draining any accumulated fat to maintain a lean texture.
- In the same skillet, gently sauté the onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic flavors.
- Slice potatoes uniformly thin to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Create a creamy sauce by whisking together cream of mushroom soup, milk, and seasonings until smooth and well-combined.
- Create the first foundation layer by arranging half the potato slices across the entire bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Distribute the cooked ground beef evenly over the potato base, followed by a layer of the sautéed onion and garlic mixture.
- Drizzle approximately half of the prepared soup mixture across the meat and potato layers, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Complete the casserole by layering the remaining potato slices and pouring the rest of the soup mixture on top.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and potatoes to soften.
- Uncover the casserole, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously, and return to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese melts and develops a golden-brown crust.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes, which helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making the dish soggy and heavy.
- Use low-fat alternatives like ground turkey or lean beef for a healthier version of this comfort food classic.
- Consider adding chopped bell peppers or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor complexity without changing the dish’s core character.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg