Hearty Hamburger Potato Casserole
Hearty Hamburger Potato Casserole is a comforting and flavorful one-dish meal combining tender ground beef, creamy mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and a gooey cheese blend. Perfect for family dinners or busy weeknights, this easy-to-make casserole delivers satisfying textures and layered savory flavors with simple, approachable ingredients.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 cups shredded cheese blend (cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack)
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Prepare the Ground Beef Mixture: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Add diced onions and sauté until softened and the beef is fully browned. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Drain any excess fat to prevent greasiness.
- Boil and Mash Potatoes: While the beef cooks, peel and chop the potatoes into cubes. Boil them in salted water until tender. Drain and mash slightly, keeping some texture. Mix in sour cream, a pinch of salt, and pepper for creaminess and flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl or casserole dish, gently mix the cooked beef mixture, mashed potatoes, frozen mixed vegetables, and half of the cheese blend. Stir carefully to distribute ingredients evenly without overmixing.
- Bake the Casserole: Spread the mixture evenly in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving to let flavors settle and make slicing easier for hearty portions.
Notes
- Use evenly sized potato chunks for uniform cooking and best texture.
- Do not overmix the casserole to keep distinct layers of beef and potatoes.
- Season gradually to balance flavors perfectly.
- Optionally leave some beef fat for richer flavor but avoid too much greasiness.
- Use sharp aged cheddar or similar cheese for deeper flavor.
- Cover casserole with foil for the first 15 minutes of baking to keep moisture, then uncover to brown cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6th of casserole)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: hamburger casserole, potato casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, family dinner, easy casserole, baked casserole