Classic Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole (Print Version)

Classic Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole - a comforting, easy dinner. Layered with seasoned beef, tender potatoes, and gooey cheese. A family favorite!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 60 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 80 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Meat-Eater

# Ingredients:

→ Base Layers

01 - 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
02 - 4-5 medium russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch thick)

→ Creamy Goodness

03 - 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
04 - 1/2 cup whole milk
05 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

→ Cheesy Topping

06 - 2 cups (8 oz) sharp or medium cheddar cheese, freshly grated, divided

→ Flavor Boosters

07 - 1 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon, you want it nicely crumbled. I always season it with a good pinch of salt and pepper here – it really builds the flavor from the start. Cook until it’s browned all over, no pink bits left. Honestly, the smell of browning beef always makes my stomach rumble! Drain off any excess grease; I usually just tilt the pan and scoop it out with a spoon, careful not to lose any delicious beef.
02 - Once the beef is drained, toss in your finely chopped onion. Let it soften up in the residual beef fat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. It’ll start to get translucent and smell amazing. This is where the kitchen really starts to smell like something special, you know? If you wanted a little more garlic oomph, a clove of minced fresh garlic could go in here for the last minute, but for this Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole, I usually stick to powder for ease.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and garlic powder. Make sure it's smooth, no lumpy bits of soup! I once tried to skimp on the milk and ended up with a really thick, clumpy sauce that didn't spread well. Don't be like me – follow the measurements! This mixture is going to be the creamy binder that pulls our Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole together.
04 - Now for the fun part! Grab a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread half of your thinly sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom. Next, layer half of the browned beef and onion mixture over the potatoes. Drizzle half of the creamy soup mixture over the beef, then sprinkle with about a third of the grated cheddar cheese. Repeat these layers once more with the remaining potatoes, beef, and soup mixture. This layering is key to getting every bite packed with flavor.
05 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Pop it into your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 45-50 minutes. You want those potatoes to get nice and tender. I usually check by poking one with a fork – if it slides in easily, you’re good. I remember one time I didn't cover it tightly enough, and the top potatoes got a bit dry. Learn from my mistakes, friends!
06 - After 45-50 minutes, pull the casserole out, carefully remove the foil, and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese all over the top. Return it to the oven, uncovered, for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and a little golden brown. Oh, the sight of that golden, gooey cheese is just everything! Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving; it helps everything set up and keeps you from burning your tongue, which I've done more times than I care to admit.

# Notes:

01 - Always slice your potatoes thin and evenly; it makes a huge difference in cooking time and texture. I learned this the hard way with some half-cooked chunks!
02 - Don't skip draining the beef fat! Too much grease makes the casserole, well, greasy.
03 - Freshly grated cheddar melts so much better and tastes richer than pre-shredded. Trust me on this.
04 - For an extra layer of flavor, try adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of smoked paprika to your ground beef while it cooks. Game changer!

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - 9x13 inch baking dish
02 - large skillet
03 - medium bowl
04 - whisk

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 25g

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