Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

Hearty, creamy, and loaded with melted cheddar — an easy weeknight casserole the whole family will love.

Comfort food: layers of seasoned ground beef, potatoes, and gooey cheese.

Prep: 15 minutes • Cook: 1 hour 10 minutes • Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef — adds savory, meaty flavor and protein.
• 6 medium potatoes, thinly sliced — become soft and creamy as they bake.
• 1 small onion, chopped — adds mild sweetness and depth.
• 1 (10–11 oz) can cream of mushroom soup — creates a rich, creamy sauce.
• 1 cup milk — thins the sauce so it coats every layer.
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese — melts into gooey, golden perfection.
• 1 tsp garlic powder, salt & pepper — for balanced seasoning.
• Butter or nonstick spray — to grease the dish.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13" baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion until beef is browned and onion is tender. Drain excess fat.
3. In a medium bowl combine the can of cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
4. Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the cooked beef mixture, then spread half of the soup mixture over the beef. Sprinkle with one-third of the shredded cheese.
5. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, beef, and soup mixture. Finish with the remaining cheese on top.
6. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
7. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly golden. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes & Tips

• For extra flavor, sprinkle 1/2 tsp smoked paprika or 1 tsp dried parsley into the soup mixture.
• Use Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes — Yukon Golds hold shape better; Russets become very tender.
• Make ahead: assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours — add 10–15 minutes to the baking time if chilled.
• Leftovers reheat well in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes or in the microwave for single portions.

If you liked this, try serving it with a crisp green salad or steamed green beans for balance.