Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe
I’ve included some videos I found relevant and helpful. 😍
Are you craving a warm, filling meal that’s easy to make? Look no further than this yummy hamburger potato casserole! This tasty dish serves 6-8 people and takes just 20 minutes to prep. You’ll love how the flavors of beef, potatoes, and cheese blend together.
The recipe uses simple ingredients you might already have at home. Layers of sliced potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and creamy soup create a mouthwatering meal. Pop it in the oven and let it bake while you relax. In about an hour and a half, you’ll have a hot, cheesy casserole ready to enjoy with your family.
Exact Ingredients List
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this tasty hamburger potato casserole:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2-3 pounds russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Make sure to have all these ingredients ready before you start cooking. The olive oil helps sauté the onions and garlic, giving your casserole a nice flavor base.
Your ground beef should be lean to keep the dish from getting too greasy. The spices – thyme, garlic powder, and black pepper – will season the meat perfectly.
For the potatoes, aim for about 1/8 inch thick slices. This helps them cook evenly and gives your casserole a nice texture.
The cream of mushroom soup and milk create a creamy sauce that brings everything together. And don’t forget the cheese – it adds that irresistible gooey goodness!
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add ground beef, thyme, garlic powder, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon.
Layer 1/3 of the sliced potatoes in the baking dish. Top with half the meat mixture and 1/2 cup cheese. Repeat layers, ending with potatoes on top.
In a bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth. Pour this evenly over the casserole. Cover the dish with foil.
Bake for 1 hour. Remove foil, sprinkle remaining cheese on top, and bake uncovered for 20-30 more minutes. The potatoes should be tender and cheese bubbly.
Let the casserole stand for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Possible Substitutes List
You can easily swap out some ingredients in this hamburger potato casserole to suit your taste or dietary needs. Here are some options:
- Ground meat: Try ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a leaner meal.
- Potatoes: Sweet potatoes or sliced cauliflower can replace russet potatoes.
- Cheese: Use mozzarella or pepper jack for a different flavor.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Cream of celery or cream of chicken soup work well too.
For a vegetarian version, you can use plant-based ground meat and vegetable broth. If you’re out of dried thyme, rosemary or oregano make good substitutes.
Don’t have fresh garlic? Use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove. For a dairy-free option, try coconut milk instead of regular milk and use your favorite non-dairy cheese.
Remember, these swaps may change the flavor and texture a bit, but they’ll still result in a yummy casserole. Feel free to mix and match to create your perfect dish!
How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly
To make this hamburger potato casserole more diabetes-friendly, you can try these simple swaps:
Use lean ground turkey instead of beef to reduce saturated fat. Pick 93% lean or higher.
Replace half the potatoes with cauliflower. This cuts carbs while adding fiber and nutrients.
Swap regular cream of mushroom soup for a low-sodium version. Or make your own with milk, mushrooms, and corn starch.
Use low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese to lower the overall fat content.
Add extra veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach. They boost nutrition without many carbs.
Season with herbs and spices instead of salt. Try rosemary, oregano, or chili powder for flavor.
Serve smaller portions alongside a big salad or steamed veggies. This helps control carb intake.
By making these changes, you can enjoy a tasty casserole that’s better for blood sugar control. Remember to check with your doctor about how it fits into your meal plan.
Tips, Tricks & Storing
Use a mandoline slicer to get thin, even potato slices. This helps the casserole cook more evenly. If you don’t have one, try to cut the potatoes as thinly as possible with a sharp knife.
For extra flavor, add some diced bell peppers or sliced mushrooms when cooking the ground beef. You can also sprinkle some crispy bacon bits on top before serving.
To make ahead, assemble the casserole but don’t bake it. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole casserole in a 350°F oven until heated through.
You can freeze this casserole too! Wrap it tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Try swapping the cream of mushroom soup for cream of celery or cream of chicken for a different flavor. You can also use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option.