This cheesy, delicious Hamburger Potato Casserole recipe is an easy and yummy weeknight family dinner. And you can make the entire dish in advance and simply reheat for an even easier time-saving dinner!
Warm, cozy, ooey gooey, cheesy and delicious! This cheesy, delicious Hamburger Potato Casserole recipe is an easy and yummy weeknight family dinner. Ground beef and onion are cooked and then added to a casserole dish with diced potatoes. Then an easy-to-make sauce is added on top and mixed into the beef and potatoes with shredded cheese. You get all of the yummy flavors of Hamburger with cheese and fries in this delicious casserole! When it comes to comfort food and ground beef casseroles, this hamburger casserole is a keeper.
This Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe Works because it’s so Easy!
Potatoes are Nourishing
Potatoes sometimes get a bad rap. Some people may associate potatoes with french fries. Yes, a potato that is deep fried in oil is generally not good for you. Others heard years ago that they contribute to weight gain, but there is new, more accurate data to debunk this. Of course, you should consult with your medical provider for any dietary concerns.
After completing my studies at Cornell for a Certification in Nutrition, I really started to look at natural, real foods and what they can provide us. I discovered that the potato can be nourishing and good for you. Especially when compared to other sides, like processed pastas. Potatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. One russet potato has 168 calories, 5g of protein, 4g of fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium, and manganese.
Potatoes are so versatile and great for easy dinner recipes. Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole is an all time favorite – it’s like scalloped potatoes on steroids. Honey Garlic Beef and Potato Stew and Mouthwatering Potato and Steak Bites are delicious dinners! And this Chorizo Patatas Bravas Recipe is outrageously yummy!!
How about potato salads? Red Potato Salad with Edamame is a healthy take on a traditional side. Or this Loaded Potato Casserole!
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Equipment Needed for Hamburger Casserole
For the ground beef and the onions, you will need a large skillet/frying pan to sear and cook them before adding to the potatoes. I use my absolute favorite 12″ Ceramic Pan, which is great because food really does slide right off with minimal oil and I don’t have to worry about food sticking and burning.
For the casserole, you need a large casserole dish or baking dish that’s approximately 10×10, 12×12, 10×11 or similar.
That’s it! No fancy air fryer or multi-cooker needed! See FAQS below for cooking in a slow cooker.
Easy Ingredients you have on hand in the pantry, fridge, or freezer
In the fridge or freezer:
- Ground Beef 90% lean
- Milk (I used 1 %, but any milk is fine)
- Sour Cream
- Cheddar Cheese, shredded (or any mix of cheddar, jack, mozzarella)
- Salted Butter
In the Pantry or Counter
- Onion
- Garlic
- Yukon Gold Potatoes
- All Purpose Flour
- Broth vegetable or chicken
- Dried Oregano
- Salt
- Fresh Ground Pepper
Optional Fun Toppings
- Fresh Italian Parsley
- Dill pickles, chopped
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Sriracha Sauce
Time Saving Prep-Ahead Steps for Hamburger Potato Casserole
This entire casserole can be made ahead and then reheated later! Make this on Sunday and then enjoy it on a busy weeknight.
There are a couple steps that you can do a few days ahead. You can dice the onion and store it in the fridge. If you want to make the optional toppings in this recipe (parsley, pickles and Sriracha Mayo) then you can also make those a few days in advance.
Prep the Potatoes
Dice the potatoes. Cut them into 1/2 inch cubes to cook through evenly in the oven. If using Yukon Gold potatoes, you can leave the skins on, as they are very delicate and and thin. The skin has so many of the nutrients and vitamins! If you use russet potatoes, you will likely want to peel them before dicing them as the skins are tougher.
First, slice the potato into 1/2 inch thick slices. Then lay the slices flat side down and slice again into 1/2 inch slices. Then turn the slices and cut into diced 1/2 cubes.
Dice all of the potatoes and place them in the casserole dish. NOTE: if you’re doing this step more than a few minutes before cooking, then cover the potatoes with cold water and store in the fridge until you are ready to cook. Drain the potatoes before moving on to the next step.
Cook the Ground Beef
In preheated large frying pan or skillet, add the lean ground beef and break it up with a spatula. Cook on high heat for 3 minutes until it starts to brown. Then over medium heat, add the diced onions and stir to combine. Cook for another 5 minutes. Transfer the beef and the onions to the casserole dish with the potatoes.
Finish the Casserole and Bake
Prep the sauce
This is a super easy sauce to make, so no soup mix or canned mushroom soup here. To the same pan used for the beef, turn the heat to Medium-LOW. Add the butter and stir to melt. Add Flour and whisk to combine with the butter. Cook stirring constantly for about 1 minute, then slowly whisk in the broth and then milk until the roux is completely and smoothly mixed into the liquids. Turn the heat to Medium and continue to stir and cook until it comes to a light simmer and thickens. Turn off the heat.
Whisk in the sour cream, oregano, salt, and pepper to the thickened sauce.
Pour the sauce over the potatoes and beef. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and then mix to combine everything together.
Bake in the oven center rack for 40 minutes covered with aluminum foil. Remove the cover and bake for another 10 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender. LET REST for 10 minutes.
To serve, scoop on plates and then top with a dollop of the Sriracha Mayo and diced pickles (if desired)!
Time Saving Tips
Use Yukon Gold potatoes vs. russet to save lots of time, as you do not need to peel the skins! The skins are so thin and delicate that you do not even need to peel them, which is a huge time saver!
If you want to dice all of the potatoes the day before, then cover the potatoes with cold water and store in the fridge until you are ready to cook. Drain the potatoes before moving on to the next step.
You can also brown the ground beef 1-2 days before making the casserole
Hamburger Potato Casserole FAQs
Can I use ground chicken or turkey in this Hamburger Casserole?
Yes, you can use any ground protein that you prefer. Just be sure to add enough oil to the pan for chicken and turkey so that it doesn’t stick, as it has less fat than beef. You will also want to taste for seasoning. Since beef tends to have more natural flavor, you may want a touch more salt, oregano, or pepper. Otherwise, the cooking steps will be the same.
What kind of potatoes should I use in Hamburger Potato Casserole?
As mentioned above, Yukon Gold are my preferred potato for this recipe. The skins are so thin and delicate that you do not even need to peel them, which is a huge time saver! These are a more waxy potato than the russet potato, which are what you would see used for baked potatoes. They cook up very tender, but because of their waxy texture, they hold shape without turning to mush.
You can use really any potato in this recipe, just be sure to cut it down to a similar size. Russet, or Baking Potatoes, have the thicker, tougher skin. Many people find it a turn off to eat the skin even though it does have so many great vitamins and nutrients. If you use russet potatoes, you may want to peel them before dicing and adding it to the recipe. Also, the russet tends to be a bit mushy when cooked for long periods of time. Therefore, if you mix the casserole after it is baked, don’t be surprised if the russet potatoes start to break apart.
Can this Hamburger Casserole be cooked in a Slow cooker or Crockpot?
Yep! Simply follow the instructions as is, up until Cooking step #5. In Cooking Step 5, instead of putting everything in a casserole dish, add to the slow cooker insert. Mix and then set cooking to 6-8 hours, depending on your schedule.
What to serve on the side of this Hamburger Potato Casserole?
You do need a veggie with this dish. Since it’s such a warm and heart dish, a cool and fresh side is a nice compliment. A simple tomato and cucumber salad with either a Basil Chive Yogurt Dressing or a Honey Mustard Dressing would be perfect!
What are some other ground beef recipes like this?
If you like this recipe, then you will also love my super easy 30-Minute Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls (Bulgogi!) or if you want another beef casserole option, this White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef. This Incredible Ground Beef Taco Quinoa Bowl is another great ground beef recipe.
ENJOY! 😍 Carrie
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Hamburger Potato Casserole with Cheddar Cheese
Warm, cozy, ooey gooey, cheesy and delicious! This Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole is an easy and yummy weeknight family dinner. Ground beef and onion are cooked and then added to a casserole dish with diced potatoes. Then an easy-to-make sauce is added on top and mixed into the beef and potatoes with shredded cheese. You get all of the yummy flavors of Hamburger with cheese and fries in this delicious casserole!
Ingredients
Ground Beef
- 1 pound Ground Beef 90% lean
- 1/2 cup Diced onion
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
Casserole
- 2 lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes (about 6 potatoes)
- 3 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
- 3 Tablespoons Butter, salted
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 cup Broth vegetable or chicken
- 8 oz Sour Cream
- 2 cups Shredded Cheddar (or any mix of cheddar, jack, mozzarella)
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Fresh Ground Pepper
Toppings (Optional – Not included in Nutrition Facts)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Italian Parsley
- 1/2 cup dill pickles, chopped
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha Sauce
Instructions
Prep-Ahead Steps
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Finely dice 1 small onion to get 1/2 cup.
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Make the Sriracha Mayo by mixing together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and Sriracha sauce.
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Chop the parsley. Dice the pickles.
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Clean the skins of the potatoes and then dice the potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes. Add the diced potato to a 9×13 or similar size casserole dish.
Cooking Steps
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Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
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In preheated large frying pan or skillet, add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula. Cook on high heat for 3 minutes until it starts to brown. Then add the diced onions and stir to combine. Cook for another 5 minutes. Transfer the beef and the onions to the casserole dish with the potatoes.
-
To the same pan used for the beef, turn the heat to Medium-LOW. Add the butter and stir to melt. Add Flour and whisk to combine with the butter. Cook stirring constantly for about 1 minute, then slowly whisk in the broth and then milk until the roux is completely and smoothly mixed into the liquids. Turn the heat to Medium and continue to stir and cook until it comes to a light simmer and thickens. Turn off the heat.
-
Whisk in the sour cream, oregano, salt, and pepper to the thickened sauce and then pour the sauce over the potatoes and beef. Add the shredded cheese and then mix to combine everything together.
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Bake in the oven center rack for 40 minutes covered with aluminum foil. Remove the cover and bake for another 10 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender. LET REST for 10 minutes.
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To serve, scoop on plates. OPTIONAL: Top with a dollop of the Sriracha Mayo and diced pickles. ENJOY!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- Can I use ground chicken or turkey in this Hamburger Casserole? Yes, you can use any ground protein that you prefer. Just be sure to add enough oil to the pan for chicken and turkey so that it doesn’t stick, as it has less fat than beef. You will also want to taste for seasoning. Since beef tends to have more natural flavor, you may want a touch more salt, oregano, or pepper. Otherwise, the cooking steps will be the same.
- What kind of potatoes should I use in Hamburger Potato Casserole? Yukon Gold are my preferred potato for this recipe. The skins are so thin and delicate that you do not even need to peel them, which is a huge time saver! They also hold shape without turning to mush. You can use russet potatoes, but the skin is tough, so you may want to peel it before dicing and adding it to the recipe.
- Can this Hamburger Casserole be cooked in a Slow cooker or Crockpot? Yes, simply follow the instructions as is, up until Cooking step #5. In Cooking Step 5, instead of putting everything in a casserole dish, add to the slow cooker insert. Mix and then set cooking to 6-8 hours, depending on your schedule.
