Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe – The Ultimate Comfort Food Classic

Published: September 23, 2025 | By Admin

Few meals hit the comfort food sweet spot quite like a Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole. With tender layers of thinly sliced potatoes, savory seasoned ground beef, and rich, gooey cheese, this family-friendly dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s filling, satisfying, and easy to customize with your favorite pantry staples or fresh ingredients. Whether you’re looking to warm up a chilly evening or need a foolproof dish for a potluck, this casserole delivers the flavor, texture, and nostalgia in every bite.

📌 What Is Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole?

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole is a baked dish made by layering seasoned ground beef, thin-sliced potatoes, creamy sauce, and cheddar cheese in a casserole dish and baking until bubbling and golden. It’s reminiscent of scalloped potatoes but with a hearty, protein-rich twist from the hamburger, and an ultra-creamy finish thanks to the cheese and soup mixture.

This dish is:

🥔 Satisfyingly hearty
🧀 Rich, cheesy, and savory
👩‍🍳 Quick to prepare
❄️ Perfect for make-ahead meals

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This casserole is a tried-and-true favorite for good reason:

✅ Kid-friendly – The rich flavors and soft textures are a win with even the pickiest eaters.
✅ Budget-conscious – Made with affordable, everyday ingredients.
✅ Meal-prep ready – Make it ahead and reheat with ease.
✅ Customizable – Easily adaptable to dietary needs and personal taste.

This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, and leftover lunches.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to create this delicious one-dish meal:

1 lb ground beef (80/20) – for flavor and richness
1 medium onion, diced – adds sweetness and depth
2–3 garlic cloves, minced – for savory aroma
4 medium Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes – peeled and thinly sliced (1/8-inch)
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup – forms the base of the sauce
½ cup sour cream – adds tang and creaminess
½ cup milk – helps loosen the sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese – divided; sharp cheddar recommended
1 tsp paprika – optional, for color and subtle smokiness
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional toppings: chopped parsley, green onions, or crispy bacon

Pro tip: Use a mandoline slicer to get evenly thin potatoes for faster cooking and better texture.

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Your Oven

Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with butter or non-stick spray.

2. Cook the Ground Beef Mixture

In a large skillet over medium heat:

Cook ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned (7–9 minutes).
Stir in minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional minute.
Drain excess fat to avoid a greasy casserole.

3. Prepare the Cheese Sauce

In a mixing bowl, whisk together:

Cream of mushroom soup
Sour cream
Milk
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

This creamy base binds everything together and infuses flavor throughout the dish.

4. Layer the Casserole

In the prepared baking dish:

Place half the sliced potatoes in an even layer.
Spoon over half the ground beef mixture.
Pour over half the cheese sauce.
Sprinkle with a bit of extra cheddar.

Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.

5. Bake

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake for 60 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly and the potatoes are tender.

6. Rest and Serve

Let the casserole rest for 10–15 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped parsley, scallions, or crispy bacon before serving, if desired.

🧑‍🍳 Expert Tips for Success

Slice potatoes very thin to ensure they cook through. Use a mandoline if available.
Season generously—potatoes need salt to bring out their flavor.
Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for better meltability.
For more creaminess, stir in a few tablespoons of cream cheese or Velveeta into the sauce.
Want extra crunch? Add a topping of crushed Ritz crackers or French-fried onions during the last 10 minutes of baking.

🔄 Variations to Try

This casserole is highly versatile. Here are a few popular twists:

Spicy version: Add diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a swirl of hot sauce.
Veggie-loaded: Add layers of sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, or frozen peas and carrots.
Meat swaps: Use ground turkey, sausage, or shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef.
Cheese mix: Try Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Colby, or even pepper jack for extra flavor.
Soup alternatives: Swap cream of mushroom for cream of chicken, cheddar soup, or a homemade béchamel.

🍽️ What to Serve With Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

Although it’s a complete meal on its own, here are a few delicious side options:

🥦 Steamed broccoli or green beans
🥗 Fresh garden salad with a tangy vinaigrette
🍞 Dinner rolls or garlic bread for dipping
🥕 Roasted carrots or asparagus for color and crunch

For dessert, consider something light like fruit salad, sorbet, or lemon bars to balance the richness.

❄️ Storage and Reheating Tips

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze the entire dish (wrapped well) or individual portions for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Microwave: Reheat single portions for 2–3 minutes until hot.
Oven: Cover with foil and heat at 350°F for 20–25 minutes.

Bonus tip: If freezing before baking, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.

📝 Printable Recipe Card

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 85 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 6–8

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2–3 garlic cloves, minced
4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
½ cup sour cream
½ cup milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
1 tsp paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Optional toppings: parsley, green onion, bacon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 9×13-inch dish.
Cook ground beef, onion, garlic, and seasonings. Drain fat.
Mix soup, sour cream, milk, and 1 cup cheese.
Layer: half potatoes, half beef, half sauce, sprinkle cheese. Repeat.
Cover with foil, bake 60 minutes. Uncover and bake 20–25 minutes more.
Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish as desired.

🧾 Final Thoughts

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole is the epitome of easy, comforting, homemade cooking. With its satisfying layers, creamy textures, and cheesy goodness, it’s a go-to meal that’s both nostalgic and crowd-pleasing. Whether you’re cooking for your family, prepping meals for the week, or feeding a holiday crowd, this recipe delivers every single time. Add it to your rotation—you’ll be glad you did.