Description
Hearty hamburger and potato casserole brings comfort to family dinner tables with its classic midwest charm. Layers of ground beef, potatoes, and creamy sauce create a satisfying meal that warms hearts and fills hungry bellies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef
- 2 cups (340 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 can (10.5 oz/298 g) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Optional: garlic powder
- Optional: paprika
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- Sauté ground beef and onions in a skillet over medium heat, thoroughly browning the meat and ensuring no pink remains. Carefully drain accumulated fat.
- Whisk cream of mushroom soup with milk until creating a smooth, uniform sauce.
- Create initial potato layer across bottom of baking dish, covering entire surface with thin potato slices.
- Distribute half the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly over potato foundation.
- Construct second potato layer directly atop meat layer, maintaining consistent coverage.
- Pour entire soup mixture across top, ensuring complete and uniform distribution.
- Season generously with salt, pepper, and preferred herbs or spices for enhanced flavor profile.
- Seal baking dish completely with aluminum foil to trap moisture and prevent excessive drying.
- Bake covered for precisely 1 hour, allowing ingredients to meld and potatoes to become tender.
- Remove foil, immediately sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese across casserole surface.
- Return to oven for additional 15 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops golden bubbling crust.
- Allow casserole to rest 5-7 minutes before serving, enabling internal temperatures to stabilize and flavors to integrate.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and make the dish healthier without compromising flavor.
- Swap cream of mushroom soup with a homemade version or low-sodium alternative for a lighter meal option.
- Consider adding diced bell peppers or mushrooms to boost vegetable content and nutritional value.
- For gluten-free adaptation, use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the soup mixture and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg