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Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

Featured in: Satisfying Hearty Mains

Slice potatoes thin, brown seasoned beef, make cheese sauce with soup and cream, layer everything three times, bake covered, then top with cheese.

Tags: #beef #potatoes #cheese #casseroles #soups

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Clare Greco
Updated on Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:44:19 GMT
Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole | recipesbyclare.com
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Easy Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole layers paper-thin Yukon Gold potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and a rich cheddar sauce in one family-size dish. A final cup of sharp cheddar melts over the top after the potatoes become tender.

The recipe serves exactly 6. Preparation takes 15 minutes, cooking takes 70 minutes, and the listed total is 85 minutes. Bake covered at 400°F for 1 hour, then uncover, add cheese, and bake 10 minutes more.

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole Ingredients

Yukon Gold potatoes, ground beef, onion, garlic, cheddar soup, evaporated milk, cream, cheddar, parsley, and seasonings
Yukon Gold potatoes, ground beef, onion, garlic, cheddar soup, evaporated milk, cream, cheddar, parsley, and seasonings | Recipes by Clare
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The sauce uses one 14 oz can cheddar cheese soup, one 12 oz can evaporated milk, and ½ cup heavy cream.

For the savory layer, prepare 1 lb ground beef, 1 cup diced yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Add 2½ lb Yukon Gold potatoes sliced ⅛ inch thick, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, and chopped fresh parsley for garnish.

If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Cheesy Spaghetti Sloppy Joes.

How to Make Hamburger Potato Casserole

Four stages showing cheddar sauce and thin potatoes, browned beef, three casserole layers, and a finished cheesy bake
Four stages showing cheddar sauce and thin potatoes, browned beef, three casserole layers, and a finished cheesy bake | Recipes by Clare
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  1. Heat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Whisk cheddar soup, evaporated milk, and heavy cream until smooth.
  3. Wash and slice 2½ lb potatoes into ⅛-inch rounds.
  4. Brown beef and onion for 6–8 minutes. Add garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika for 1 minute, then drain.
  5. Make three repeating layers, each using one-third potatoes, one-third sauce, and one-third beef.
  6. Cover and bake 1 hour. Uncover, add 1 cup cheddar, and bake 10 minutes more.
  7. Rest 10 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve six portions.

For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.

Whisk the Three-Part Cheese Sauce

Slice Potatoes Exactly One-Eighth Inch

Brown Beef and Onion for Six to Eight Minutes

Add Garlic and Exact Seasonings

Build the First Casserole Layer

Repeat Until There Are Three Layers

Cover and Bake for One Hour

Finished hamburger potato casserole with melted sharp cheddar and parsley
Finished hamburger potato casserole with melted sharp cheddar and parsley | recipesbyclare.com
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Uncover and Add One Cup Cheddar

Rest Ten Minutes Before Serving

Conclusion

Heat the oven to 400°F. Whisk the cheddar soup, 12 oz evaporated milk, and ½ cup cream. Slice 2½ lb potatoes ⅛ inch thick. Brown beef and onion 6–8 minutes, add garlic and seasonings for 1 minute, and drain. Make three potato-sauce-beef layers, cover, and bake 1 hour. Add 1 cup cheddar, bake uncovered 10 minutes, and rest 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How thin should the potatoes be?

Slice them uniformly to ⅛ inch so they become tender during the one-hour covered bake.

→ How many people does the casserole serve?

The recipe makes exactly six servings.

→ When is the shredded cheddar added?

Add the measured cup after the covered hour, then bake uncovered for 10 minutes.

→ Can another potato variety be used?

Yes. Yukon Gold is creamiest, but russet or red potatoes can be used if they are sliced ⅛ inch thick.

4.80 from 134 votes

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

Preparation Time:
15 Minutes
Cook Time:
70 Minutes
Total Cooking Time:
85 Minutes
Number of Servings:
6
Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
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Layered casserole with tender potatoes, seasoned beef, and creamy cheese sauce. Ultimate comfort food for the whole family.

Ingredients You'll Need

  • Creamy Sauce Base

  • Ground Beef Layer

  • Potato & Cheese

  • Garnish

How to Make It

1.

1. Get Ready: Preheat your oven to 400°F. This comforting casserole is going to fill your kitchen with the most amazing aromas!

2.

2. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cheddar cheese soup, evaporated milk, and heavy cream until smooth and well combined. This creamy mixture is what makes the casserole so rich and delicious.

3.

3. Slice the Potatoes: Wash and dry your potatoes thoroughly, then use a sharp knife or mandoline to slice them into thin ⅛-inch slices. Thin slices are key - they'll cook evenly and become perfectly tender in the hour baking time.

4.

4. Brown the Beef: Heat a large 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking and breaking up the meat until it's nicely browned, about 6-8 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Drain off excess fat and transfer the beef to a plate.

5.

5. Start Layering: In the same skillet (or a greased 9x13 baking dish), create your first layer: arrange one-third of the sliced potatoes in an overlapping pattern, then pour one-third of the cheese sauce over them, followed by one-third of the browned beef.

6.

6. Continue Layering: Repeat the layering process two more times: potatoes, sauce, beef, then potatoes, sauce, beef again. Don't add the shredded cheese yet - that goes on at the end for the perfect golden top.

7.

7. Bake Until Tender: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour, or until the potatoes are fork-tender when you poke them with a knife. Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

8.

8. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes to set up - this makes it much easier to serve. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and enjoy this ultimate comfort food dinner!

Extra Information

  1. This ultimate comfort food combines tender potatoes, seasoned beef, and a rich cheese sauce into one satisfying dish.
  2. Cutting the potatoes thin (⅛-inch) is crucial for even cooking - thicker slices will need more baking time.
  3. You can use russet or red potatoes instead of Yukon Gold, but Yukon Gold gives the creamiest texture.
  4. A mandoline slicer makes quick work of getting perfectly even potato slices.
  5. Try mixing different cheeses like pepper jack with the cheddar for extra flavor.

Essential Tools

  • Large 12-inch oven-safe skillet or 9x13 baking dish
  • Mandoline slicer or sharp knife
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Aluminum foil

Allergy Warnings

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy from cheese soup, evaporated milk, heavy cream, and cheese
  • May contain gluten in canned soup

Nutrition Details (Per Portion)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 530
  • Total Fat: 31 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 40 g
  • Protein: 24 g