Ultimate Cheesy Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole: An Easy Family Favorite Dinner
Prepare to discover your new go-to comfort food recipe: the ultimate Cheesy Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole. This delightful dish ingeniously combines two beloved classics – the creamy, cheesy goodness of hashbrown casserole (often affectionately known as funeral potatoes) and a savory, well-seasoned ground beef filling. The result is an incredibly hearty and flavorful main dish casserole that promises to become a cherished family favorite, perfect for any occasion from busy weeknights to festive potlucks.
If you’re a fan of rich, cheesy potato dishes, whether you know them as funeral potatoes or simply love a good hashbrown casserole, then this recipe is tailor-made for you. It takes the beloved elements of classic potato casseroles and elevates them with a robust, flavorful ground beef layer, transforming a side dish into a complete and satisfying meal. Think of it as the delicious marriage of a classic Tater Tot Casserole and a creamy hashbrown bake – a pairing so perfect, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
What truly distinguishes this potato casserole from other hashbrown or funeral potato recipes is its incredibly rich and flavorful ground beef filling. This isn’t just plain ground beef sprinkled in; it’s a deeply seasoned layer that adds an explosion of savory taste and satisfying texture between two layers of cheesy, tender hashbrowns. This thoughtful addition ensures that every bite is packed with flavor, making it a true main dish masterpiece. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a dependable, delicious meal, and equally fantastic for any family gathering or potluck where you want to impress without the stress.
Why This Casserole Will Be Your Next Family Favorite
There’s an undeniable magic to casseroles – they’re comforting, easy to make, and often feed a crowd with minimal fuss. This Cheesy Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole epitomizes all these qualities, but with an elevated flavor profile that will have everyone asking for the recipe. Imagine bringing this to your next potluck or family event. You know that silent competition, where everyone secretly judges which dish disappears first? With this casserole, you can be confident it will be devoured. Expect requests for the recipe from friends and family members; it’s simply that good.
The Perfect Blend of Comfort and Flavor
This recipe skillfully marries two quintessential comfort foods: the creamy, cheesy potatoes that evoke childhood memories and the hearty, savory appeal of seasoned ground beef. The tender hashbrowns are mixed with cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and a generous amount of cheddar cheese, creating an incredibly rich and satisfying base. Layered with well-seasoned ground beef, it offers a wonderful textural contrast and a depth of flavor that sets it apart from simpler casseroles. It’s a complete meal in one dish, designed to warm hearts and fill hungry bellies.
Versatility for Any Occasion
Whether you’re planning a casual weeknight dinner, hosting a large family gathering, or contributing to a church potluck, this hamburger hashbrown casserole fits the bill perfectly. Its ease of preparation means you can whip it up even after a long day, and its ability to feed many makes it ideal for entertaining. It’s a dish that feels special enough for holidays but is simple enough for everyday enjoyment. Plus, it reheats beautifully, making it an excellent candidate for meal prepping or enjoying delicious leftovers throughout the week.
What Do I Need to Make This Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole?
Gathering your ingredients for this comforting casserole is straightforward. Most items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store, making this a convenient choice for your next meal. Here’s a look at the essential components that come together to create this irresistible dish:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef: Leaner beef works best to avoid excessive grease, but any ground beef can be used, just be sure to drain the fat thoroughly.
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix: This is a secret weapon for flavor! It infuses the ground beef with savory, aromatic notes without requiring extra chopping.
- 1/2 cup water: Helps to hydrate the soup mix and create a flavorful sauce for the beef.
- 1 (30 oz) package frozen hashbrowns (shredded): The foundation of our cheesy potato layers. No need to thaw them beforehand!
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided: Essential for that gooey, cheesy texture and rich flavor. Feel free to use a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack for extra creaminess.
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup: The binding agent that makes the hashbrowns incredibly creamy and moist. Cream of chicken or celery soup can also be used as alternatives.
- 1/2 cup of sour cream: Adds a tangy richness and a velvety smooth texture to the potato mixture. Greek yogurt can be a lighter substitute.
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper: A pantry staple that enhances all the flavors.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a subtle, savory depth that complements the beef and cheese perfectly.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your Masterpiece
Making this Cheesy Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole is incredibly straightforward, even for novice cooks. Follow these simple steps to assemble a dish that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures your casserole starts cooking evenly as soon as it goes in.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks until no pink remains. Once fully cooked, carefully drain off any excess fat from the skillet. Return the perfectly browned meat to the skillet, then add the packet of dry onion soup mix and stir in 1/2 cup of water. Simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to slightly thicken.
3. In a separate, spacious mixing bowl, combine the frozen shredded hashbrowns, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, the can of cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, black pepper, and garlic powder. Stir this mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the hashbrowns are evenly coated. This creamy potato base is key to the casserole’s comforting appeal.
4. Take slightly more than half of your prepared potato mixture and spread it evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Ensure the entire bottom surface of the pan is completely covered, creating a solid base for the layers to come. Remember to reserve enough potato mixture for the top layer.
5. Next, evenly distribute all of the seasoned ground beef filling over the first layer of hashbrowns. Spread it out gently to create an even, robust layer that will provide that incredible savory flavor throughout the casserole.
6. Finally, drop the remaining potato mixture by spoonfuls over the ground beef layer, spreading it as evenly as possible to cover the meat completely. Cover the entire pan tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. The foil helps to steam the hashbrowns, ensuring they become tender and cooked through.
7. Once the initial baking time is up, carefully remove the casserole from the oven and take off the foil. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown. This final bake creates a delicious, crispy cheese topping.
Pro Tips for Casserole Perfection
- Thawing Hashbrowns: While not strictly necessary, allowing your frozen hashbrowns to thaw slightly at room temperature for 15-20 minutes can help them mix more easily with the creamy ingredients.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the potato mixture just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tougher hashbrowns.
- Even Layers: Take a moment to ensure your layers are as even as possible. This guarantees that every serving gets a balanced combination of hashbrowns and beef.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes after baking. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to serve clean slices.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble this casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate. Add 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time if baking from cold.
- Freezing Instructions: This casserole freezes beautifully! Once cooled completely, cut into individual portions or freeze the entire casserole (if using a freezer-safe dish) tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Variations to Customize Your Hashbrown Casserole
One of the best things about this Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients to suit your taste or what you have on hand:
- Cheese: Swap cheddar for Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, a Mexican blend, or even a smoky gouda for a different flavor profile.
- Meat: Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used as lighter alternatives to ground beef. Just be sure to season them well!
- Vegetables: Boost the nutrition and flavor by adding diced bell peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or corn to the ground beef mixture. A layer of steamed broccoli or green beans could also be added to the hashbrown layer.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of hot sauce to the beef, or sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the top for a bit of heat.
- Toppings: Instead of just cheese, consider adding crushed cornflakes, Ritz crackers mixed with melted butter, or even crispy fried onions on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for added crunch.
Serving Suggestions
This simple standard is a great way to step up your casserole game and add a bit of new flare to your favorite classic! Serve warm with a side of steamed veggies, like crisp green beans or tender broccoli, for the ultimate comfort experience. A fresh side salad with a light vinaigrette also provides a nice contrast to the richness of the casserole. For a truly hearty meal, consider pairing it with a simple bread roll or cornbread. This dish is incredibly satisfying on its own, but these additions can round out the meal beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are answers to some common questions about making this delightful casserole:
- Do I need to thaw the hashbrowns? No, you can use frozen hashbrowns directly from the package. They will thaw and cook in the oven.
- Can I use cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom? Absolutely! Cream of chicken or even cream of celery soup can be used as a substitute if you prefer, or if you don’t have cream of mushroom on hand.
- How do I store leftovers? Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Can this recipe be doubled? Yes, you can double the recipe and bake it in two 9×13 inch casserole dishes or a very large roasting pan. Adjust baking time as needed.
- Is this casserole gluten-free? The original recipe isn’t gluten-free due to the cream of mushroom soup and possibly the onion soup mix. However, you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and checking labels on the onion soup mix.
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Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
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Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 30 oz package frozen hashbrowns (shredded)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup of sour cream
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
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In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain off any excess fat and return the meat to the skillet. Add the packet of dry onion soup mix and stir in 1/2 cup of water, simmering for a few minutes to combine flavors.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the frozen hashbrowns, 1 cup of shredded cheddar, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
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Spread a little more than half of the potato mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch casserole dish, ensuring the bottom is fully covered. Reserve the remaining potato mixture for the top.
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Next, spread all of the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly over the first layer of hashbrowns.
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Evenly drop the remaining potato mixture by spoonfuls over the ground beef layer, spreading it out to cover. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 45-50 minutes.
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When the initial baking time is complete, remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top of the casserole. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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