Ultimate Comfort Food: Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole is a classic dish. Many families enjoy it. This casserole combines ground beef, potatoes, and cheese. It creates a warm, filling meal. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights. It is also great for potlucks. Kids and adults both love it. The ingredients are simple. You probably have most of them in your kitchen. This casserole is easy to make. You can change it to fit your taste. It’s a great way to use leftover potatoes, providing a delicious and satisfying experience for everyone at the table. It truly embodies a home-cooked meal.

Reasons to Try Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

This casserole offers many good things. First, it tastes delicious. The ground beef adds a savory flavor. The potatoes provide a soft texture. The cheese makes it creamy and rich. The flavors blend to provide a comforting, fulfilling meal.

Second, it is easy to put together. You don’t need special cooking skills. The steps are simple to follow. Even if you are new to cooking, you can make this dish.

Third, it’s a great way to feed a crowd, making it an ideal option for family gatherings. You can make a big batch. Everyone can have a hearty serving.

Finally, it’s versatile. You can add vegetables. You can use different cheeses. You can make it your own.

Where Did Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole Come From?

Casseroles became popular in America during the 20th century. Families needed easy, affordable meals. The Great Depression made this even more important. People used what they had. They combined ingredients in one dish. This saved time and money.

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole likely evolved from simple potato and meat dishes. Adding cheese made it richer. As families grew, casseroles became a staple. They were easy to make in large quantities. Church suppers and potlucks often featured casseroles. The dish is part of American comfort food. It reminds many people of home and family meals. I remember eating a casserole similar to this one when I was younger, most people I know did too. Recipes were often handwritten down and then passed down through generations. Each family added their own special touches to suit their unique taste preferences. The casserole remains popular. It’s a simple, satisfying meal.

Essential Ingredients Selection for Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

For the best casserole, choose good ingredients. Here’s what you need:

• Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef. It has less fat. This makes the casserole healthier. I always suggest around 80-85% lean.
• Potatoes: Russet potatoes work well. They are starchy and hold their shape. Yukon Gold potatoes are also a good choice. They are creamier.
• Cheese: Cheddar cheese is classic. It melts well and has a sharp flavor. You can also use Colby, Monterey Jack, or a blend. Always use cheese that has been freshly grated.
• Onion: Yellow or white onions add flavor. Chop them finely.
• Milk: Milk makes the casserole creamy. Whole milk works best. You can also use 2% milk.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: This adds flavor and creaminess. It acts as a binder.
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder are essential. They enhance the flavor of the dish.

Instructions

Follow these steps to make Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole:

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon. Cook until it’s no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.
3. Prepare Potatoes: Peel and slice the potatoes into thin rounds. About 1/4 inch thick is good.
4. Sauté Onion: In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until it’s soft and translucent. This takes about 5 minutes.
5. Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked ground beef in the skillet. Add the cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until well combined.
6. Layer Casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the sliced potatoes. Top with half of the beef mixture. Sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese.
7. Repeat Layers: Repeat the layers. Start with the remaining potatoes, then the remaining beef mixture, and finish with the remaining cheese.
8. Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes. The cheese should be melted and bubbly. The potatoes should be tender.
9. Rest: Remove from oven, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

What You Must Know About Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

Before you start, consider these points:

• Potato Thickness: Slice potatoes evenly. Thin slices cook faster. Thick slices may take longer to become tender.
• Cheese Melting: For the best melt, shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains cellulose. This can prevent it from melting smoothly.
• Beef Browning: Brown the beef well. This adds flavor. Drain the fat to avoid a greasy casserole.
• Soup Choice: Cream of mushroom soup is traditional. You can use cream of chicken or cream of celery soup instead.
• Check the internal temperature of the casserole, it should be above 160 degrees Fahrenheit

Helpful Tips

• Add Vegetables: Add vegetables for extra nutrition. Peas, carrots, corn, or green beans work well. Mix them with the beef.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Or use a dash of hot sauce. This gives the casserole a little kick.
• Use Different Cheeses: Try different cheeses. Pepper Jack adds spice. Mozzarella makes it extra gooey.
• Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve. You may need to add extra baking time.

Serving Suggestions for Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

This casserole is a complete meal on its own, and it doesn’t need too much to go with it. You can also add sides.

• Simple Salad: A green salad with a light vinaigrette is a good choice. It balances the richness of the casserole.
• Steamed Vegetables: Steamed broccoli or green beans add color and nutrients.
• Garlic Bread: Crusty garlic bread is great for soaking up the sauce.
• Fresh Toppings: Garnish with chopped green onions or fresh parsley. This adds freshness and visual appeal.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover casserole in the refrigerator.

• Cool Down: Let the casserole cool completely.
• Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave. Heat until warmed through. You can also reheat the entire casserole in the oven. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole is a classic dish. Many families enjoy it. This casserole combines ground beef, potatoes, and cheese. It creates a warm, filling meal. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights. It is also great for potlucks. Kids and adults both love it.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

• Lean ground beef.
• Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes.
• Cheddar cheese.
• Yellow or white onion.
• Whole milk.
• Cream of mushroom soup.
• Salt.
• Garlic Powder.

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Cook and brown ground beef; drain fat.
• Peel and thinly slice potatoes.
• Sauté chopped onion until translucent.
• Combine beef, soup, milk, and seasonings.
• Layer half potatoes, half beef mixture, half cheese in a dish.
• Repeat layers.
• Cover with foil; bake for 45 minutes.
• Uncover; bake 15-20 minutes until bubbly.
• Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

This casserole is a complete meal on its own, and it doesn’t need too much to go with it.

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