Discover the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole recipe featuring layers of savory ground beef, tender sliced potatoes, melted cheddar cheese, and a creamy sauce. Perfect for a hearty family dinner!
There’s a casserole dish in my family that’s seen more gatherings than any of us can count—the old, trusty blue one. It was in this dish that I first attempted to make the Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole after moving out on my own. Homesick and longing for something comforting, I remembered how my mom used to make something similar when times were tough, or when she simply wanted to bring everyone together. That night, I realized that it wasn’t just the flavors of the tender potatoes and creamy, cheesy beef that filled me up but the memories each bite brought back. Now, whenever I need a hug from home, I whip up this casserole, and just like magic, it’s like mom’s right there in the kitchen with me.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
The Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole isn’t just another dish; it’s a comforting hug in casserole form! What makes it truly stand out is its incredible versatility—perfect for any occasion, whether you’re feeding a crowd, prepping a make-ahead meal, or offering a comforting dish to someone in need.
Its layers of perfectly seasoned ground beef, sliced potatoes, and gooey cheddar are a testament to its hearty and satisfying nature.
Additionally, the use of both cheddar soup and evaporated milk in the sauce ensures that every bite is rich, creamy, and full of flavor, making it a dish that’s both satisfying and memorable.
Ingredients Notes
Crafting the perfect Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole begins with understanding your ingredients and their roles in this symphony of flavors:
- Ground Beef: The star of the dish, providing a robust base with its rich flavors.
- Yellow Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness when sautéed, enhancing the savory notes of the beef.
- Russet Potatoes: Chosen for their starchy quality, which helps to thicken the casserole sauce and absorb all the delicious flavors.
- Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, giving the casserole a gooey, cheesy texture and sharp, tangy taste.
- Condensed Cheddar Soup & Evaporated Milk: These combine to create a creamy, rich sauce that binds all the layers together smoothly.
- Milk & Garlic Powder: Enhance the creaminess and add a gentle hint of garlic.
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How To Make This Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
Let’s break down the making of your Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole into manageable steps to ensure you get that perfect golden crust and creamy, cheesy middle every time:
- Oven Preparation: Begin by setting your oven to preheat at 350°F and ready your baking dish with a coat of nonstick spray.
- Cook the Beef: Brown the ground beef with onions in a skillet, seasoning it well. This not only builds the flavor base but ensures your beef is deliciously savory.
- Layering: Start by laying down the potato slices, followed by the cooked beef and a sprinkle of cheddar. Season each layer as you go. This step is crucial as it builds the structure of your casserole.
- Prepare the Sauce: Whisk together the cheddar soup, evaporated milk, milk, and garlic powder until smooth. This sauce is what will infiltrate the layers, making them moist and flavorful.
- Baking: Cover with foil and let it bake. The steam trapped inside will cook the potatoes to perfection. Unveil it in the last 15 minutes to achieve that irresistible golden top.
Storage Options
The beauty of the Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole extends to its storage flexibility. After enjoying your meal, allow any leftovers to cool completely before covering them and placing them in the refrigerator. This casserole will keep well for up to three to four days when stored properly. For those who like planning ahead, you can also freeze this casserole either baked or unbaked for up to two months. Just make sure it’s wrapped tightly to prevent freezer burn. Reheat it covered in the oven, and it’s like you’ve made it fresh all over again!
Variations and Substitutions
One of the great joys of this casserole is how easily it can be customized to suit different tastes or dietary needs:
- Meat Variations: Feel free to swap the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Cheese Options: Not a fan of cheddar? Try mozzarella for a milder taste or a spicy pepper jack to kick things up a notch.
- Dairy-Free: Use plant-based cheese and dairy substitutes for the milk and evaporated milk to cater to dairy-free diets.
- Add-Ins: Feel free to throw in some vegetables like bell peppers or corn for added texture and flavor.
Each tweak or substitution lets you make this dish truly your own, catering to whatever the occasion or dietary preference might be!
Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds of ground beef
- 1 finely diced yellow onion
- 4 pounds of russet potatoes peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
- 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
- One 10.75 ounce can of condensed cheddar soup
- One 12 ounce can of evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Utilize nonstick spray to coat a 9×13-inch baking dish comprehensively. Set aside.
- Meat Sauté: Place ground beef and diced onion into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook until the beef is thoroughly browned and no longer pink, ensuring to break up the beef as it cooks. Upon completion, drain any excess fat from the skillet and set the cooked meat aside.
- Assembly of Layers: In the prepared baking dish, arrange a single layer of sliced potatoes. Season each layer with salt and pepper. Follow with a layer comprising 1/4 of the cooked beef and onion mixture, and then sprinkle 1/4 of the grated cheddar cheese over the beef. Repeat this layering process three more times, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Sauce Preparation: In a small mixing bowl, combine the condensed cheddar soup, evaporated milk, milk, and garlic powder. Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Baking: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the assembled layers in the baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 60 minutes. After this initial baking period, remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top layer is visibly golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
- Serving: Remove from oven and allow the casserole to stand for several minutes before serving to ensure that it sets properly and is safe to consume.
