If you’re craving a simple, satisfying dinner that the whole family will love, this Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole has you covered. It combines juicy ground beef, tender sliced potatoes, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce, all baked into a comforting casserole that’s perfect for weeknights.
This recipe uses everyday ingredients and minimal prep, making it one of the best quick and easy meals with ground beef when you need dinner on the table fast. Just layer, bake, and enjoy a warm, melty, and hearty dish that always hits the spot.
Want a one-pan skillet version instead? Try my Ground Beef Potato Casserole, equally delicious and ready even faster!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Potato Cheese Casserole
If you’re always hunting for easy meals with ground beef, this casserole is a guaranteed winner. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your regular rotation:
- Simple, budget-friendly ingredients, nothing fancy required
- Family-approved comfort food, cheesy, hearty, and filling
- Baked version = hands-off cooking, the oven does the work
- Perfect for meal prep, leftovers reheat beautifully
- Endlessly customizable, switch up cheeses, add veggies, or adjust seasonings
- A complete dinner in one dish, potatoes and protein together
Whether you need dinner ideas with ground beef or just want something satisfying after a long day, this casserole checks all the boxes.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
This ground beef potato cheese casserole uses simple pantry staples that come together into a comforting baked meal.
Main Casserole Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3–4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Creamy Cheese Sauce
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (one layer + topping)
Optional Add-Ins (Customize to your taste!)
- Sliced mushrooms
- Frozen peas or corn
- Spinach or diced bell peppers
- A pinch of cayenne for heat
These simple tweaks can turn this into any number of popular hamburger potato cheese casserole recipes, tailored to your family’s favorites.

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole – Quick & Delicious Family Dinner
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 –4 medium potatoes thinly sliced (⅛-inch thick)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
Optional Add-Ins
- Mushrooms peas, corn, spinach, bell peppers
Instructions
- Brown the BeefHeat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned; drain grease.
- Add Onion & SeasoningStir in onion, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook 3–4 minutes until onion softens.
- Prepare the PotatoesSlice potatoes evenly into thin rounds.
- Make Cheese SauceWhisk cream soup, milk, and 1 cup of cheddar together in a bowl.
- Layer the CasseroleGrease a 9×13 baking dish. Layer potatoes, beef mixture, and cheese sauce. Repeat layers if desired.
- Bake CoveredCover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes.
- Add Cheese & Finish BakingRemove foil, top with remaining cheese, and bake 10–15 minutes more until golden and bubbly.
- Serve & Enjoy!Rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Slice potatoes thin for even cooking
- Freshly shredded cheese melts best
- Add a splash more milk if sauce seems thick
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Freeze up to 2 months
- Reheat covered for the creamiest results
Pair with: Eat This Much — Casserole Nutrition Reference
https://www.eatthismuch.com/calories/beef-and-potato-casserole-430291
How to Make Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
Follow these simple steps to create a melty, creamy hamburger potato cheese casserole that’s ready for the oven in minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 — Cook the Ground Beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
Step 2 — Add Onion & Seasoning
Stir in the chopped onion, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook 3–4 minutes until onions soften.
Step 3 — Slice the Potatoes
Thinly slice the potatoes into even rounds, about ⅛-inch thick, so they cook evenly in the oven.
Step 4 — Make the Cheese Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar until smooth.
Step 5 — Layer the Casserole
Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Layer in this order:
- Potato slices
- Beef mixture
- Cheese sauce
Repeat layers once more if ingredients allow.
Step 6 — Bake
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes. Remove foil, top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese, and bake 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Step 7 — Serve & Enjoy
Let it rest for a few minutes, garnish with parsley if desired, and scoop into big, cozy servings!
This cooking method differentiates this post (baked, layered) from the main skillet recipe, boosting SEO cluster diversity.

Tips for the Best Ground Beef Potato Cheese Casserole
Want your ground beef potato cheese casserole to turn out perfectly melty, creamy, and tender every time? These simple tips make a big difference:
Slice Potatoes Thin & Even
Aim for ⅛-inch thick slices for consistent cooking.
Too thick = chewy and underdone
Too thin = may fall apart in layers
Pro Tip: Use a mandoline for fast, even slicing.
Don’t Skip Pre-Cooking the Beef
Fully browning the ground beef adds flavor and prevents greasy layers in the casserole.
Cover First, Uncover to Finish
- Foil on → potatoes steam and soften
- Foil off → cheese gets golden and bubbly
The best of both worlds!
Choose a Cheese That Melts Well
Cheddar is classic, but you can also use:
- Monterey Jack
- Colby Jack
- Gouda
- Pepper Jack (for a spicy kick!)
Freshly grated melts best.
Add More Broth or Milk if Needed
If your sauce seems thick before baking, a splash of extra liquid ensures creamy results — especially if potatoes are extra starchy.
These little tweaks help this hamburger potato cheese casserole bake up extra cheesy, extra cozy, and extra delicious.
Now your readers have tips that build confidence and keep them scrolling (great for engagement metrics!)
Variations & Substitutions
This hamburger potato cheese casserole is incredibly flexible, mix and match ingredients to suit your taste, budget, and what you have on hand.
Protein Options
Swap ground beef for:
- Ground turkey (leaner option )
- Italian sausage (boosts spice + herbs)
- Ground chicken (milder flavor)
- Ground pork (rich + savory)
If using lean meat like turkey, add a bit more milk or broth to keep the casserole creamy.
Add Extra Veggies
Mix into the beef layer:
- Mushrooms
- Corn or peas
- Diced carrots
- Bell peppers
- Spinach
Great for making a full dinner with one dish!
Try Different Cheese Combos
More melty, more fun:
- Monterey Jack
- Colby Jack
- Mozzarella
- Pepper Jack (heat lovers!)
Flavor Twists
Give this easy casserole a whole new personality:
- Tex-Mex: taco seasoning + salsa + crushed tortilla chips
- BBQ-Style: drizzle BBQ sauce + smoked cheddar
- Bacon Lover: cooked bacon bits mixed into the beef
- Creamy Ranch: add 1 Tbsp ranch seasoning packet
Whether you’re after a comforting classic or a fun twist, this recipe adapts beautifully, one reason it’s a staple among ground beef potato casserole fans!
What to Serve With Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
This hearty beef potato casserole brings the protein and carbs — so pairing it with something fresh or crunchy rounds out the meal beautifully. Here are easy serving ideas:
Light & Fresh Sides
- Green salad with vinaigrette
- Cucumber and tomato salad
- Mixed greens with lemon
- Coleslaw with a tangy dressing
These refreshing sides help balance the melty cheese and beef.
Simple Vegetable Add-Ons
- Steamed broccoli
- Sautéed green beans
- Roasted carrots or zucchini
- Peas with a squeeze of lemon
Great way to add color + nutrients to dinner.
Bread Pairings
- Garlic bread or Texas toast
- Warm dinner rolls
- Buttery biscuits
- Cornbread for a Southern twist
Perfect for soaking up every cheesy bite!
How to Store & Reheat This Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
This casserole keeps incredibly well, making it a great option for make-ahead meals with ground beef. Here’s how to store leftovers the right way:
Refrigerate
- Let casserole cool completely
- Transfer to an airtight container
- Refrigerate for 3–4 days
Reheat:
Cover and warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 1–2 minutes until heated through.
Freeze for Later
Perfect for busy nights when you want dinner ready to heat and eat.
- Store whole or portion into freezer-safe containers
- Freeze for up to 2 months
Reheat From Frozen:
Bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for 40–50 minutes
(or thaw overnight for quicker heating)
Add a fresh sprinkle of cheese before reheating to restore gooey goodness!
Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole FAQs
Do I need to cook the potatoes before baking?
No, slicing the potatoes thinly allows them to become tender in the oven while the casserole bakes.
Can I use frozen potatoes or hash browns?
Yes! Frozen diced potatoes or hash browns work great, just add 5–10 minutes to the bake time if needed.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Definitely. Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake as directed, adding 5–10 extra minutes if cold.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Of course! Any good melting cheese, like Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, or Colby Jack, works beautifully.
How do I keep the casserole from drying out?
Make sure the casserole is tightly covered with foil for the first part of baking, this traps steam so the potatoes soften and stay creamy.
More Easy Ground Beef Recipes
If you love cozy casseroles that come together with simple ingredients, be sure to try this reader favorite:
Ground Beef Potato Casserole, cheesy, hearty, and made in just one skillet!
More comforting ground beef recipes coming soon, stay tuned! 💛






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