Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

$To make Hamburger Potato Casserole, gather these items: - 1 lb ground beef - 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced - 1 medium onion, chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese - 1 cup sour cream - 1 cup beef broth - 1 teaspoon paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Fresh parsley for garnish (optional) You can swap some ingredients based on what you have. Ground turkey or chicken works well instead of beef. For a creamy twist, use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream. If you don't have cheddar cheese, try mozzarella or Monterey Jack for a different taste. To prepare this dish, you will need: - A large skillet for cooking the beef and onions - A 9x13 inch baking dish for layering - A sharp knife for slicing potatoes and chopping onions - A cutting board for safe food prep - Aluminum foil to cover the dish while baking These simple tools will help you create a tasty casserole with ease. Enjoy your cooking! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by slicing the potatoes into thin rounds. Use a sharp knife for even cuts. Thin slices cook better and soak up flavor. Next, chop the onion into small pieces. This helps it mix well with the beef later. Set both the sliced potatoes and chopped onion aside. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions to the pan. Cook them until they are soft and clear, about 3 minutes. Then, add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds. This brings out the garlic flavor. Now, add the ground beef. Use a spoon to break it apart. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the beef is brown and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any fat from the skillet before using it. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with oil. Start with half of the sliced potatoes at the bottom. Spread half of the cooked beef mixture over the potatoes. Next, add half of the sour cream and half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat this layering with the remaining potatoes, beef, sour cream, and cheese. Finally, pour beef broth evenly over the whole dish. This liquid helps keep the casserole moist. Cover it with foil and bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 15 more minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy! For the best potatoes, use medium-sized ones. Slice them thin, about 1/8 inch thick. This helps them cook evenly. Layer them in the dish without over-crowding. If you want more flavor, soak them in cold water for 30 minutes. This removes excess starch. It helps them get a lovely texture when baked. To make your casserole super cheesy, use a mix of cheeses. Cheddar is great, but add mozzarella for extra stretch. Grate your cheese fresh instead of using pre-shredded. Fresh cheese melts better and tastes creamier. You can also add cheese in layers, not just on top. This gives every bite a cheesy surprise! To cut down on prep time, use a food processor for slicing. It saves you lots of time and effort. You can also prepare the beef mixture ahead of time. Store it in the fridge overnight. When you're ready to bake, just layer the ingredients and pop it in the oven. This makes for an easy weeknight dinner! Pro Tips Pre-cook your potatoes: To ensure your potatoes are perfectly tender, consider parboiling them for a few minutes before layering them in the casserole. This will help them cook evenly and absorb more flavor. Cheese variations: Feel free to mix different types of cheese for added flavor. A combination of cheddar and mozzarella can give a delightful texture and taste. Make it ahead: This casserole can be assembled a day in advance. Just cover it tightly and store it in the fridge. When ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Garnish for freshness: Fresh herbs like chives or thyme can elevate the dish's presentation and add a pop of freshness. Sprinkle them on just before serving. {{image_2}} You can easily make a vegetarian version of this dish. Instead of ground beef, use lentils or mushrooms. Both add a hearty texture. For cheese lovers, swap the cheddar for a plant-based cheese. Also, add some chopped bell peppers for extra flavor. This version keeps all the comfort while being meat-free. For those who enjoy heat, try adding jalapeños. Chop up one or two fresh jalapeños and mix them into the beef layer. You can also sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick. This spicy twist adds a fun zing to the dish. Just be sure to adjust the heat level to your taste. If you want a lighter meal, consider using ground turkey instead of beef. It has less fat and works well in this recipe. You can also use low-fat cheese to cut calories. Another tip is to add more vegetables like spinach or zucchini. These changes keep the dish healthy without losing flavor. Store leftover Hamburger Potato Casserole in an airtight container. Make sure it cools first. Keeping it sealed helps prevent moisture loss and keeps it fresh. The casserole stays good in the fridge for about three to four days. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in a baking dish. Cover it with foil to keep it moist. Heat for about 20 to 25 minutes. If you want it extra crispy, uncover it for the last 10 minutes. You can freeze Hamburger Potato Casserole for later use. First, let it cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. This way, it stays fresh for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Yes, you can prepare this casserole ahead. Make it up to the point before baking. Cover it tightly and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, bake it straight from the fridge. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time. This casserole pairs well with many sides. I love serving it with a fresh green salad. You could also add some crusty bread or steamed vegetables. If you want a bit of crunch, consider serving it with pickles or coleslaw. To change the serving size, you can easily adjust the ingredients. If you want more servings, double the amounts. For fewer servings, cut the amounts in half. Just remember to keep the same layers and baking times. You might need to change the pan size to fit the new amounts. In this post, we covered the key ingredients for Hamburger Potato Casserole. You learned about ingredient swaps and the tools needed. I walked you through step-by-step instructions, from preparing the ingredients to layering the dish. You also found handy tips for cooking and variations, including vegetarian options. Lastly, I shared best practices for storage and answered common questions. Making this dish can be easy and fun. Enjoy creating your own version!$

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

A hearty casserole featuring layers of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 55

Total Time 1 10

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon paprika
to taste salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
optional fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions are translucent.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, layer half of the sliced potatoes at the bottom.
Spread half of the ground beef mixture over the potatoes, followed by half of the sour cream and half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Repeat the layers: the remaining potatoes, ground beef, sour cream, and finish with the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
Pour the beef broth evenly over the entire dish, ensuring that the liquid seeps down through the layers.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes.
After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Garnish with fresh parsley for added flavor.

Keyword beef, casserole, cheesy, potatoes