If you’re on the hunt for a down-home, ultra-comforting meal that comes together with just a handful of pantry staples, look no further than Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole. It’s that rare weeknight recipe that feels both delightfully nostalgic and satisfyingly hearty. Each forkful features thinly sliced potatoes, savory ground beef, a creamy blanket of mushroom soup, and gooey cheddar bubbling on top—it’s the kind of old-fashioned favorite that brings everyone around the table with smiles.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s something magical about humble ingredients transforming into a crowd-pleasing dinner. The Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole uses just a handful of basics, each one playing a starring role in building flavor, texture, and pure comfort in every bite.
- Ground Beef: Gives this casserole heartiness and rich, savory flavor—choose leaner ground beef for less grease.
- Potatoes: Thinly sliced, they’ll soften into creamy layers and soak up all the goodness during baking.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Acts as the creamy binder that holds the dish together and adds classic casserole taste.
- Milk: Thins out the soup, ensuring every nook and cranny gets coated and bakes up luscious.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Forms a gooey, melty golden crown on the finished casserole—sharp cheddar is extra delicious.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning the beef and potatoes to perfection.
How to Make Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole
Step 1: Prep Your Oven
Get things started by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that when your Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole goes in, it’ll bake up evenly, with perfectly tender potatoes and a bubbly, golden top.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon as it browns. You want to cook it until there’s no pink left and it’s wonderfully crumbly. Drain away any excess grease and sprinkle with salt and pepper—seasoning here lays a solid flavor foundation.
Step 3: Slice the Potatoes
Peel your potatoes and slice them thinly—aim for no thicker than a quarter inch. The thinner they are, the more quickly they’ll soften in the oven and meld into those dreamy casserole layers you crave from Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole.
Step 4: Layer the Casserole
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange a layer of sliced potatoes on the bottom—it’s totally fine if they overlap a little! Next, spread your cooked ground beef right over the potatoes, making sure to distribute it evenly so every portion gets some of that beefy goodness.
Step 5: Mix and Pour the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup and the milk until smooth. Pour this mixture gently over the beef layer, spreading it to fully cover the meat. This creamy sauce is what turns the casserole into a cozy, scoopable delight.
Step 6: Bake (Then Add Cheese!)
Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 1 hour—you’ll start to smell those comforting aromas wafting through your kitchen soon. After an hour, pull out the casserole and sprinkle on your shredded cheddar cheese. Return the dish to the oven for 15 minutes, just until the cheese is melty, bubbly, and a little golden around the edges.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
When baking is done, let your Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole rest for about five minutes before cutting in. This resting time lets the layers settle, making serving neater and the flavors even more irresistible. Now all that’s left to do is dig in!
How to Serve Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley or sliced green onions adds a pop of color and brightness right before serving. For a little extra zip, try a dusting of smoked paprika or an extra twist of fresh black pepper on the top of your Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole.
Side Dishes
This casserole shines alongside a crisp side salad or simple steamed green beans to add balance and crunch. Buttery dinner rolls or garlic bread are always welcome for scooping up every bit of saucy goodness, making the meal feel extra homey and complete.
Creative Ways to Present
For family-style serving, bring the casserole dish straight to the table for a rustic, inviting feel. If you want to dress things up, cut the casserole into neat squares and serve on individual plates with a garnish on each piece. For gatherings, consider baking in individual ramekins to give each guest their own cute, mini Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover casserole keeps well for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors are often even more pronounced the next day, making it a fabulous make-ahead lunch or quick dinner solution that reheats beautifully.
Freezing
This dish is freezer-friendly! Portion out leftovers or freeze the entire casserole (cooled) wrapped tightly in foil and plastic wrap. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Your Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole will taste just as comforting weeks later.
Reheating
To reheat, simply cover and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through and the cheese is melty again. For single servings, the microwave works in a pinch—just cover and heat a minute or two, checking that it’s hot in the middle. Add a fresh sprinkle of cheese if you like!
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of cheese in Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole?
Absolutely! While cheddar is classic for its flavor and melt, feel free to swap in Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or even a combo of cheeses if you want a different twist or need to use up what’s in your fridge.
What potatoes work best for this casserole?
Russet potatoes are the usual go-to for Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole because they bake up tender, but Yukon golds or red potatoes will also work well—just be sure to slice them thinly for even cooking.
Can I add veggies or extra seasonings?
This casserole is a fantastic blank canvas! Feel free to add chopped onions, bell peppers, or frozen peas for extra color and nutrition, or try garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs for more flavor.
How do I know when the casserole is done baking?
The potatoes should be tender and easily pierced with a fork, and the cheese on top will be hot and bubbling. If your potatoes seem a bit firm, cover the dish with foil and bake for an extra 10-15 minutes.
Is it possible to assemble Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole in advance?
Yes! You can layer everything in your baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead. Just let it sit on the counter while the oven preheats, and you may need to add a few minutes to the baking time since it’ll start out cold.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving the ultimate comfort meal that’s as easy to make as it is to love, you really can’t beat Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone running to the kitchen and always disappears fast. Give it a try and let it become a new favorite around your dinner table!
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Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-vegetarian
Description
This Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for a cozy family dinner. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes, seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and melted cheddar cheese come together to create a satisfying meal that’s simple to make.
Ingredients
For the base layer:
- 1 lb ground beef
For the potato layer:
- 4 large potatoes, thinly sliced
For the binding:
- 10.75 oz condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
For topping:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasoning:
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Season with salt and pepper.
- Prepare the potatoes: Peel and thinly slice the potatoes. Arrange a layer at the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer the casserole: Spread the cooked ground beef over the potatoes. Mix the condensed cream of mushroom soup with milk and pour over the beef.
- Bake: Bake for 1 hour. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top and bake for an additional 15 minutes until melted.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can customize this casserole by adding your favorite seasonings or vegetables.
- Ensure the potatoes are thinly sliced for even cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
