Description
Hearty hamburger and potato casserole brings comfort straight from midwestern kitchens, blending ground beef, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese into one satisfying dish. Hungry families will devour this classic one-pan meal that promises warmth and deliciousness in every comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 1 pound (453.6 grams) ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, preparing a clean 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, sautéing diced onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbly pieces while cooking. Season with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Drain excess fat from the beef mixture to ensure a lighter, less greasy casserole.
- Whisk together sour cream and cream of mushroom soup in a separate bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Create the first layer in the baking dish by arranging half of the sliced potatoes across the bottom, creating an even foundation.
- Distribute half of the seasoned ground beef over the potato layer, followed by spreading half of the creamy soup mixture on top.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining potatoes, ground beef, and soup mixture, ensuring even coverage.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the entire surface, providing a golden, melty finish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning during initial baking.
- Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, maintaining consistent temperature.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese turns bubbly and golden brown.
- Allow casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from oven, which helps set the layers and intensify flavors.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives before serving for added visual appeal and herbaceous notes.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, healthier alternative that still delivers incredible flavor.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, and corn directly into the beef layer for extra vitamins and color.
- Consider reducing sodium by using low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and selecting reduced-fat cheese to make the dish more heart-friendly.
- Prep potatoes ahead by soaking sliced potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch, ensuring a crispier and more evenly cooked casserole texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15-20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg