When you’re short on time and ingredients, this 4-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole saves the day! With just ground beef, frozen hash brown potatoes, cheddar cheese, and a creamy soup base, you can create a comforting and filling dinner the whole family will love, no complicated prep, no long shopping list.
This is one of the easiest quick dinner ideas with ground beef because everything simply layers into a baking dish and goes right into the oven. It’s a budget-friendly favorite that’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you need to feed a hungry crowd fast.
Love cheesy casseroles? Try my Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole for another cozy dinner idea!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This 4-Ingredient Dinner
This 4-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole is a lifesaver when you need something fast, filling, and family-friendly. You’ll love it because:
- Only four simple ingredients required
- No chopping, frozen hash browns make prep effortless
- Dump-and-bake style, the oven does the work
- Comfy, cheesy flavor kids (and adults!) love
- Perfect for meal planning and reheating leftovers
- One of the easiest ground meat recipes for dinner you can make
It’s the kind of recipe you’ll keep coming back to on nights when cooking feels overwhelming, but a cozy meal sounds perfect.
Only 4 Ingredients Needed
This easy ground beef casserole keeps it simple with just four basic ingredients — no fancy prep required!
Core Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cups frozen hash brown potatoes (shredded or diced, both work)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
That’s it! Just layer, bake, and serve.
Optional (But Delicious!) Add-Ins
If you want a little extra flavor, try one of these (adds +1 ingredient):
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1 small onion, diced
- Frozen peas or corn
- A dash of garlic powder
Keep additions minimal to honor the 4-ingredient magic.
4-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole – Quick & Easy Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cups frozen hash brown potatoes shredded or diced
- 1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
- Cook ground beef in a skillet until browned; drain.
- Spread frozen hash browns into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Add the beef evenly over the potatoes.
- Spread the soup over the beef.
- Sprinkle 1 cup cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35 minutes.
- Remove foil, add remaining cheese, and bake 10–12 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Diced potatoes also work with the same cooking time
- Freshly grated cheddar melts the best
- Add taco seasoning or onion for extra flavor
Storage
- Refrigerate: 3–4 days
- Freeze: up to 2 months
- Reheat: 350°F for 10–15 minutes
How to Make 4-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole
This is one of the easiest dump-and-bake ground beef dinners you’ll ever make. Just layer and bake!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 — Brown the Ground Beef
Cook beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
Step 2 — Layer the Casserole
Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Add frozen hash browns in an even layer on the bottom.
Step 3 — Add the Beef & Soup
Spread the cooked beef evenly over the hash browns. Top with the cream soup and smooth it out.
Step 4 — Add Cheese & Bake
Sprinkle about 1 cup of cheddar on top.
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35 minutes.
Step 5 — Melt & Serve
Remove foil, add remaining cheese, and bake 10–12 minutes more until cheese is melty and golden.
Let rest 5 minutes before cutting — then serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for the Best 4-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole
These simple tips help your casserole come out creamy, melty, and perfectly cooked every time:
- Use frozen hash browns straight from the freezer
→ No thawing needed — keeps the texture just right - Spread ingredients evenly
→ Ensures every scoop has beef, potatoes, and cheese - Cover with foil for most of the bake time
→ Prevents cheese from burning while potatoes soften - Freshly shredded cheese melts better
→ Smoother, creamier topping vs. bagged pre-shreds - Rest a few minutes before slicing
→ Helps the casserole set for clean portions
Result: Ultra-easy ground beef casserole success!
Variations You Can Try
This casserole is the perfect base recipe for fast weeknights, you can easily change up the flavor with just one extra ingredient
Tex-Mex Style
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- Optional: drizzle of salsa when serving
Onion Lover’s
- 1 small onion (sauté with the beef)
Veggie Boost
- 1 cup frozen peas or corn
→ toss into the beef layer
Cheesier Upgrade
- Extra cheddar on top
→ nobody complains about more cheese
Spicy Twist
- A pinch of cayenne or jalapeños
Note: Add only one of these if you want to keep it a 4 or 5 ingredient recipe — still super simple and beginner-friendly!
What to Serve With this 4-Ingredient Casserole
Since this casserole already gives you protein + potatoes, a fresh or crunchy side makes the meal feel complete. Try pairing with:
- Green salad with ranch or vinaigrette
- Crisp cucumber and tomato salad
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Garlic toast or warm dinner rolls
Perfect additions for busy nights when you want dinner fast but satisfying!
Storage & Reheating
One of the best things about this easy ground beef recipe is how well it keeps! Perfect for lunches or leftovers.
Refrigerate
- Store in an airtight container
- Keeps fresh for 3–4 days
Reheat:
Microwave 1–2 minutes or bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.
Freeze (Meal-Prep Friendly!)
- cool completely
- portion into freezer-safe containers
- freeze for up to 2 months
Reheat From Frozen:
Bake covered at 350°F for 35–40 minutes
(or thaw overnight for faster cooking)
Add a fresh sprinkle of cheese on top after reheating — always a win!
FAQ — 4-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole
Can I use frozen diced potatoes instead of shredded hash browns?
Yes! Frozen diced potatoes work great, cooking time is the same.
What if my casserole seems dry?
Add a splash of milk or broth to the soup mixture before baking.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes — assemble, cover, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then bake as directed.
Can I use a different soup?
Absolutely — cream of chicken or cream of cheddar both work well.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes — use a larger baking dish and add about 10–15 minutes to the bake time.
More Easy Ground Beef Recipes
Love simple, budget-friendly dinners like this one? Try these next:
Ground Beef Potato Casserole — cheesy comfort baked in one skillet
Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole — melty oven-baked family favorite
If you enjoy customizing casseroles like this one, here’s another delicious take on a beef and hash brown bake you might like:
Beef Hashbrown Casserole — Easy Family Recipes
More cozy weeknight ideas coming soon!
