Are you ready for a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner that even your picky eaters will devour? Our Hash Brown Casserole with Ground Beef is a cozy twist on a classic comfort food.
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Our hamburger and hash brown casserole is packed with protein from lean ground beef, layered with crispy shredded hash browns.
This hash brown and hamburger casserole is enhanced with a creamy blend of mushroom soup and tangy sour cream. The blend of simple seasonings and onions adds a fabulous umami flavor.
I kick things up with a new level of flavor with a layer of melty cheddar cheese. It is an irresistible golden top.
I love a great casserole recipe because they are easy to make ahead, and I ensure they are full of flavor.
You will want to check out some of my favorites. Be sure to check out Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, Baked Pizza Pasta Casserole, Chicken Cornbread Casserole, or Baked Spaghetti Casserole.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Perfect for Busy Families: This ground beef hash brown casserole comes together quickly with simple ingredients.
- Make Ahead: Prep the ground beef and bake when ready—perfect for busy weeknights.
- Cost-Effective: This hash brown casserole with ground beef uses affordable ingredients, so you stay within your budget.
Ingredient List
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- Ground Beef: The beef provides protein and rich flavor to this hash brown hamburger casserole.
- Hash Browns: Shredded hash browns work best because they distribute evenly throughout the dish. You can use diced hash browns or tater tots for a different texture.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: This provides creaminess and depth of flavor to this delicious casserole. It also acts as a binding agent that holds everything together.
- Sour Cream: Adds richness and tanginess while contributing to the creamy texture.
- Cheddar Cheese: Creates that irresistible melty top and adds sharp, savory flavor.
- Yellow Onion: Fresh onions add essential flavor and aroma.
- Seasonings (Onion and Garlic Powder): These dried seasonings enhance the flavor profile without adding moisture.
- Black Pepper - optional
Equipment
- large skillet
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- 9x13-inch casserole dish
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Wooden Spoon
- aluminum foil
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
For the Ground Beef Mixture
- Heat the skillet, add ground beef and diced yellow onions.
- Break up the meat and saute until brown and no pink longer pink. Onions will be soft — drain excess fat.
For the Casserole
- Blend cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, spices, and black pepper until smooth. Mix in hash browns and cheddar cheese.
- Add the browned ground beef mixture to the creamy hash brown mixture. Gently fold all ingredients until well combined.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
- Top with the remaining 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake the casserole until the top of the casserole is bubbly with melty cheese and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the hamburger hash brown casserole rest for 10 minutes before bringing it to the dinner table.
Eileen's Tips for Success
- I recommend choosing 80/20 for the best flavor, though leaner options work too.
- If using frozen hash browns, thaw them completely. Pat them dry to prevent excess moisture in your casserole.
- Shred cheese fresh from the block for better melting properties.
- Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to help it set up.
Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.
- Protein: Ground turkey or Italian sausage are excellent substitutions for different flavor profiles. Be sure to use olive oil when browning these lean meats
- Hash Browns: Tater tots or diced hash browns can be used - keep in mind the texture changes when using different ingredients.
- Onion: They can be substituted with dried minced onions in a pinch, or shallots for a more delicate flavor.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Cream of chicken or cream of celery soup can be substituted for different flavor profiles.
- Cheese: Feel free to mix up the cheese varieties—try adding pepper jack for heat or Colby for a milder flavor
- Sour Cream: Use Greek yogurt for a lighter alternative or cream cheese for extra richness.
- Dairy Free: Use dairy-free ingredients for any dairy ingredients.
Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Storage - Storage & Reheating Refrigerator Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Let this easy dinner casserole cool before covering to prevent condensation.
Freezer Storage: Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. This dish can be frozen before or after baking (I recommend wrapping the casserole dish tightly in foil and plastic wrap before freezing). Be sure to label the dish with a date and reheating instructions
Reheating Instructions: From refrigerated: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.
- For a whole casserole: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and heat it at 350°F for 20-30 minutes until it's hot throughout.
- From frozen: Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then follow the refrigerated reheating instructions above. Add a sprinkle of fresh cheese when reheating for the best results
Frequently Asked Questions
Be sure to use defrosted hash browns for this hamburger and hash brown potato casserole.
If a lot of moisture in the potatoes, they will excrete the water as they cook.
Be sure to pat the hash browns dry before adding to the casserole.
I highly recommend you allow for the 10 minute rest time. This allows the ingredents to settle and less chance for a soggy casserole. The juices absorb into the ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
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Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
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Hamburger and Hash Brown Potato Casserole Recipe
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Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onions
For the Casserole
- 1(10.5) ounce can, cream of mushroom soup or use homemade cream of mushroom soup
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 ounces sour cream (room temperature)
- 20 ounces hash browns (defrosted)
- 3½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided (2 cups for mixture, 1½ cups for melty cheese topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 pounds ground beef and 1 cup diced yellow onions. Break up the meat while it cooks and stir until meat is no longer pink and onions are soft — about 10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1(10.5) ounce can, cream of mushroom soup1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 8 ounces sour cream until it becomes smooth.
- To the bowl, add 20 ounces hash browns (thawed) and 2 cups cheddar cheese and combine. Add the browned ground beef mixture to the creamy sauce and stir all the ingredients until they are well combined.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared casserole dish and top it with the remaining 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or more until the top of the casserole is bubbly with melty cheese and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the hamburger hash brown casserole rest for 10 minutes before bringing it to the dinner table.
NOTES
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Let this easy dinner casserole cool completely before covering to prevent condensation. Freezer Storage:
Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.
This dish can be frozen before or after baking (I recommend wrapping the casserole dish tightly in foil and plastic wrap before freezing).
Be sure to label the dish with a date and reheating instructions. Reheating Instructions:
From refrigerated: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.
For a whole casserole: Cover it with foil and heat it at 350°F for 20-30 minutes until it's hot throughout.
From frozen: Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then follow the refrigerated reheating instructions above. Add a sprinkle of fresh cheese when reheating for the best results.
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