Quick 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe

Hamburger and potato casserole is the kind of dish that proves comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated.

With only five ingredients, it delivers a satisfying meal that’s both hearty and full of flavor.

Layers of ground beef and potatoes bake together into a dish that feels wholesome and filling.

Cheese ties everything together, adding richness and creating a golden finish on top.

It’s a reliable recipe for busy weeknights, giving families a hot dinner without hours of work.

Straightforward steps mean less time in the kitchen and more time at the table.

This casserole shows how simple pantry staples can come together to create a meal everyone enjoys.

Easy Hamburger & Potato Casserole with Just 5 Ingredients

• This hamburger and potato casserole delivers pure, hearty comfort food that hugs your taste buds with familiar, satisfying flavors.
• With just five ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe saves time and energy while creating a delicious meal that everyone will love.
• The basic recipe welcomes creative additions like chopped onions, garlic, or different cheese varieties, making it perfect for personalizing to your family's taste preferences.
• Using affordable ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and pantry staples, this casserole stretches your grocery budget without compromising on taste or satisfaction.

What You’ll Need for This Easy Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein base that adds rich flavor to the casserole, best when lean for less grease.

• Potatoes: Provides a comforting base and starchy texture, choose starchy varieties like Russet for best results.

• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Milk: Creates a creamy, smooth sauce that binds the casserole layers, helps add moisture and richness.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a melty, golden finish with sharp cheese flavor, sharp varieties provide more taste.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall dish flavor, adjust to personal taste preference.

Instructions for Hamburger Potato Bake

Step 1: Prepare Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Brown Ground Beef

• Ground beef
• Salt
• Black pepper

Heat a skillet over medium flame. Cook ground beef until it turns golden brown, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain any extra fat. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Slice Potato Foundation

• Potatoes

Peel potatoes and cut into thin, uniform slices. Create a smooth layer covering the entire bottom of the greased baking dish.

Step 4: Layer Beef And Creamy Sauce

• Condensed cream of mushroom soup
• Whole milk

Spread cooked beef evenly over potato layer. In a separate bowl, whisk soup and milk until smooth. Pour mixture gently over beef, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Bake And Cheese Finish

• Shredded cheddar cheese

Slide the dish into preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour until potatoes become tender. Sprinkle cheese on top and return to oven for additional 15 minutes until cheese melts beautifully.

Step 6: Rest And Serve

Let casserole rest for 5 minutes. This helps layers settle and makes serving easier. Scoop generous portions and enjoy warm comfort food.

Time-Saving Tips for Casserole Success

• Slice Potatoes Uniformly: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create even, thin potato slices that cook consistently and provide a perfect texture in every bite.
• Drain Beef Thoroughly: Remove as much grease as possible when cooking ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing dish.
• Layer Strategically: Create multiple thin layers of potatoes and beef for better flavor distribution and a more cohesive casserole texture.
• Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow layers to set and make cutting and serving much easier.

How to Store & Reheat the Potato-Hamburger Combo

• Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Frozen casserole keeps well for up to 2 months.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For better texture, reheat in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.

What Pairs Well with This 5-Ingredient Casserole

• Pair with Sour Salad: Create a crisp green salad with mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the cheesy potato and beef casserole.
• Complement with Craft Beer: Choose a medium-bodied amber ale or lager that balances the hearty flavors and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the savory dish.
• Serve with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare simple roasted seasonal vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or asparagus to add nutritional balance and a light, fresh element to the meal.
• Cool Down with Crisp Coleslaw: Whip up a crunchy coleslaw with a light mayo dressing to provide a cool, refreshing side that contrasts the warm, comforting casserole.

Variations on This Crowd-Pleaser

• Southwestern Kick: Replace ground beef with spicy chorizo, add diced green chiles, swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top after baking.
• Lean & Green Upgrade: Use ground turkey instead of beef, incorporate sliced zucchini between potato layers, select low-fat cream of mushroom soup, and top with reduced-fat cheese for a healthier alternative.
• Herb Garden Remix: Mix fresh thyme and rosemary into the ground beef while cooking, use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes, choose a garlic-infused cream of mushroom soup, and garnish with chopped parsley for an aromatic transformation.
• Bacon Lovers Edition: Crumble crispy bacon over the beef layer, add caramelized onions between potato slices, use smoked cheddar cheese, and drizzle a small amount of bacon grease for extra richness and depth of flavor.

FAQ Guide to the Hamburger Potato Favorite

• Can I use a different type of meat for this casserole?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even ground sausage for a different flavor profile.

• How do I prevent the potatoes from becoming mushy?

Slice potatoes thinly and evenly, and make sure to drain excess moisture from the ground beef to keep the casserole from becoming watery.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

• What are some good side dishes to serve with this casserole?

Green salad, steamed vegetables, or a simple side of roasted broccoli complement this hearty dish perfectly.

Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty hamburger & potato casserole brings comfort straight from midwestern kitchens to dinner tables. Creamy layers of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese create a satisfying meal that feeds hungry families with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables and Carbohydrates:

• 4 large potatoes (thinly sliced)

Binding and Topping Ingredients:

• 10.75 oz (305 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal environment for the hearty casserole.
2. In a large skillet, transform the ground beef into a rich, crumbly mixture over medium heat, ensuring thorough browning and draining any excess fat.
3. Carefully slice potatoes into uniform, thin rounds, creating a foundation layer in a generously greased baking vessel.
4. Distribute the seasoned ground beef uniformly across the potato landscape, creating a protein-rich stratum.
5. Whisk the condensed mushroom soup and milk into a smooth, creamy sauce, gently cascading it over the meat to ensure complete coverage.
6. Transfer the assembled casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake and meld flavors for one full hour.
7. After the initial cooking period, crown the casserole with a generous blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, returning it to the oven.
8. Continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, watching the cheese transform into a golden, bubbling treat.
9. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest briefly, allowing the layers to settle and flavors to harmonize before serving.

Notes

• Comfort food at its finest, this casserole transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.
• Thinly slicing potatoes ensures even cooking and creates delicate layers that soak up the creamy, savory sauce perfectly.
• Draining excess beef grease prevents a greasy texture and helps the dish maintain a rich, clean flavor profile.
• Letting the casserole rest after baking allows the layers to settle, making it easier to serve and helping the dish maintain its structure.
• Shredded cheddar cheese adds a golden, melty topping that brings a delightful tangy richness to the entire dish.
• Versatile and budget-friendly, this recipe works great for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep throughout the week.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg