Comfort food reaches new heights with this cheesy hamburger potato casserole that combines hearty ingredients into a satisfying meal.
Layers of tender potatoes mingle with seasoned ground beef in a creamy, melted cheese embrace.
Each forkful promises a rich, comforting experience that warms you from the inside out.
The simple yet robust flavors make this dish a weeknight dinner champion.
Home cooks love how quickly it comes together with minimal prep work.
Packed with protein and guaranteed to please even picky eaters, this casserole turns an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.
Let’s find out this delicious one-pan wonder that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Calories: 460 kcal
Servings: 9
Ingredients for Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
For Meat And Aromatics:
Lean Ground Beef: Choose high-quality, low-fat beef for a healthier, less greasy casserole that stays juicy and flavorful.
Onion: Adds sweet, caramelized depth and aromatic base to enhance the overall dish's savory profile.
Garlic: Provides robust, pungent flavor that complements the beef and creates a rich background taste.
For Seasoning And Flavor Enhancers:
Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika: Creates a complex spice blend that adds warmth, depth, and subtle smoky undertones.
Worcestershire Sauce: Introduces tangy, umami richness that elevates the meat's natural flavor.
Salt And Pepper: Essential for balancing and highlighting all other ingredients' tastes.
For Creamy And Cheesy Components:
Mozzarella Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Delivers creamy, melty texture with sharp and mild cheese notes for ultimate comfort.
Greek Yogurt: Adds creamy tanginess and helps create a smooth, rich sauce.
Milk: Provides silky base for the cheese sauce, ensuring even distribution of creaminess.
Beef Broth: Introduces additional savory depth and moisture to prevent dryness.
Butter, Gluten-Free Flour: Creates a classic roux for thickening the sauce with a smooth, velvety consistency.
Russet Potatoes: Sturdy potato variety that holds shape while absorbing flavors and providing hearty texture.
Tools to Build Hamburger Potato Casserole
Large skillet: Essential for browning ground beef and sautéing onions and garlic.
9×13-inch baking dish: Perfect for layering and baking the entire casserole.
Saucepan: Needed to create the creamy sauce with butter, flour, and milk.
Whisk: Crucial for smoothly blending sauce ingredients without lumps.
Sharp knife: Used for chopping onions and slicing potatoes evenly.
Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients for perfect flavor.
Aluminum foil: Covers the casserole during initial baking to retain moisture.
How to Cook a Hearty Cheesy Hamburger Bake
Oven Preparation Kitchen warmth begins here. Set your oven to a cozy 375°F and lightly grease a spacious baking dish, creating the perfect home for our delicious casserole.
Meat Foundation Sizzle ground beef in a large skillet until it transforms into rich, golden brown crumbles. Drain any excess liquid to keep things clean and tasty.
Flavor Boosters Introduce diced onions and minced garlic to the meat, letting them dance and release their magical aromas. Sprinkle in Worcestershire sauce and a blend of spices that will make taste buds sing with joy.
Creamy Dream Sauce Melt butter in a separate pan, whisking in flour until smooth. Gradually pour in milk and broth, stirring continuously to create a silky sauce that will bind our dish together.
Yogurt Magic Stir in Greek yogurt to the sauce, adding a tangy richness that elevates the entire casserole. Season with salt and pepper to bring out the deep, comforting flavors.
Layering Love Start building your masterpiece by placing a layer of sliced potatoes as the foundation. Top with seasoned beef and drench in the creamy sauce, creating delicious waves of flavor.
Cheese Finale Generously shower mozzarella and sharp cheddar across the top, creating a golden, bubbling crown that promises pure deliciousness.
Baking Perfection Cover with foil and bake for about 45 minutes, letting all the flavors meld together in a warm, cozy embrace. Remove the foil for the final 15 minutes to achieve that irresistible crispy top.
Resting Moment Allow the casserole to settle for a few minutes after baking, letting the flavors harmonize and the layers set perfectly before serving up pure comfort on a plate.
Flavor Tips for Hamburger Potato Casserole
Slice potatoes uniformly for even cooking and better texture.
Prepare entire casserole up to 24 hours ahead, refrigerate, then bake when ready for dinner.
Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
Mix in diced bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to increase nutritional value and add extra layers of deliciousness to the casserole.
Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack, gouda, or smoked cheddar to create unique flavor variations that'll keep everyone guessing about your secret ingredient.
Serving Hamburger and Potato Casserole Comfortably
Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this hearty casserole as a complete meal that brings everyone together around the table, perfect for chilly evenings or weekend gatherings.
Protein-Packed Plate Companion: Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the rich, cheesy layers and add some fresh nutrition to your meal.
Crowd-Pleasing Potluck Star: Transport this casserole in a well-insulated carrier to impress friends and family at gatherings, making it an instant hit at community events or shared meals.
Leftover Magic Transformation: Reheat individual portions the next day for a quick lunch, or slice cold portions into delicious breakfast-style hash for a creative morning meal.
Meal Planning and Storage for Casserole Leftovers
Smart Meal Planning Strategies
Advance Prep Power: Slice potatoes and brown beef a day before assembly, storing separately in sealed containers inside refrigerator. This technique cuts cooking time dramatically when ready to bake.
Batch Cooking Brilliance: Double the recipe and freeze half in freezer-safe containers for future quick family meals. Separate into individual portions for easier reheating.
Leftover Love: Store remaining casserole in airtight containers within refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently at 350°F, adding splash of broth to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap uncooked casserole tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking, adding 10-15 minutes extra cooking time to ensure thorough heating.
Hearty hamburger potato casserole combines classic comfort ingredients for a satisfying family meal. Midwestern home cooking delivers rich layers of ground beef, potatoes, and melted cheese that you’ll savor with genuine comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
2 lbs (907 g) lean ground beef (about 93% lean)
1 cup (226 g) mozzarella cheese (shredded)
1 cup (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
3 Russet potatoes (skin on, sliced into 0.25 inches rounds)
1.25 cups (296 ml) onion (chopped)
1 cup (237 ml) milk (plant-based or whole)
0.25 cup (60 g) Greek yogurt
3 cloves garlic (minced)
2.25 tbsps (32 g) butter
2.25 tbsps (20 g) gluten-free flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
0.25 tsp onion powder
2 tsps Worcestershire sauce
0.25 cup (59 ml) beef broth
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Salt and pepper for cream sauce (to taste)
Instructions
Preparation: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a large skillet, draining excess fat completely. Incorporate onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, mixing until vegetables soften and seasonings distribute evenly.
Sauce Creation: In a separate pan, craft a velvety sauce by melting butter and whisking in gluten-free flour until smooth. Slowly introduce milk and beef broth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and blend in Greek yogurt, seasoning with salt and pepper.
Layering Foundation: Create alternating layers in the baking dish – first a potato base, then seasoned beef, followed by a generous pour of creamy sauce. Repeat layering process to ensure complete ingredient integration.
Cheese Topping: Blanket the final layer with a luxurious blend of mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheeses, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45-50 minutes until potatoes reach tender perfection. Uncover and continue baking 10-15 minutes more, allowing cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling crust.
Serving: Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken before serving.
Notes
Prep Ahead Strategy: Slice potatoes and chop onions in advance, storing in cold water to prevent browning and save significant cooking time on busy evenings.
Potato Precision: Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the best texture, as they hold shape while creating a creamy interior during baking.
Fat Management: Thoroughly drain ground beef after browning to prevent a greasy casserole and maintain a lighter, more appetizing dish.
Cheese Melt Mastery: Mix different cheese varieties for complex flavor depth, ensuring they’re freshly shredded for optimal melting and smooth texture.
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.
Michael Reynolds
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.