Cheesy Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure page for more information.
The whole family will love this simple hamburger hashbrown casserole. Made with ground beef, frozen hash browns, creamy sauce and lots of cheese, it’s a perfect choice for busy weeknight dinners and family meals..
You’ll need just 15 minutes to prep this easy, filling comfort food meal. And because they bake in a single dish clean-up is a breeze.
To be fair, casseroles for dinner are a family favorite around here. They usually feature a protein, potatoes or pasta, heaps of gooey cheese and come together quickly. What’s not to love, right?!
We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
Typically you would think of serving hashbrown potatoes for breakfast, but they’re savory and easy to use in place of regular potatoes. And it really cuts down on your prep time so that’s always a good thing.
Another similar dinner we have on repeat is my cheesy hamburger potato casserole. Instead of hash browns, you slice baking potatoes kind of like you would for an au gratin, and it’s just as good.
If you find yourself wanting more recipes with hash browns, be sure to try my farmers breakfast casserole. It’s got all of your classic breakfast favorites wrapped into one easy dish, great for feeding a crowd and perfect if you want breakfast for dinner.
Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole Ingredients Needed
- Ground beef – Using a lean blend (I like 93/7) helps keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Onion – Go with a sweet, yellow, or white onion.
- Cream of mushroom soup – Cream of chicken can also be used.
- Sour cream – Makes for a creamy sauce.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – Shredding your own cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded and gives the casserole a gooey topping.
- Frozen hash browns – Make sure they’re fully thawed to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Butter – Drizzling melted butter on top helps the casserole brown. Salted or unsalted butter can be used.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make Hamburger Casserole with Hash Brown Potatoes
Heat the oven and prep a casserole dish by coating it with nonstick cooking spray.
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, stirring and breaking it up as it cooks (I use a ChopStir for this). Add the diced onion and continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is softened. Drain away any excess fat before moving on.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef, condensed soup, sour cream, part of the shredded cheese, thawed hash browns, and seasonings. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
Spoon the ground beef mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Drizzle melted butter over the top, then sprinkle with the reserved cheese.
Bake uncovered until the casserole is hot throughout and the top is golden and bubbly.
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for Making Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole with Ground Beef
- To prevent extra moisture in the casserole, let the hashbrowns fully thaw before mixing with the other ingredients. This also helps it from getting soggy.
- Drain the beef well after browning so the casserole doesn’t turn out greasy.
- Allow the casserole to rest before serving so it holds together better when scooped.
Recipe Substitutions & Variations
- Meat: Use ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version.
- Soup: Use cream of chicken soup if that’s what you have on hand.
What to Serve with Ground Beef Hash Brown Casserole
Even though this hearty baked dinner is filling enough to serve on its own, it pairs really well with simple vegetable sides. My favorites are green beans, glazed carrots, or Brussels sprouts with bacon.
How to Store Leftover Hamburger Casserole with Hash Browns
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheat until warmed through using the oven or microwave.
Can I make hamburger and hash brown casserole ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the casserole as directed, then cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to a day. Bake when ready, adding a few extra minutes of cook time if needed. You can also bring it to room temperature first before baking, then cook according to the regular instructions.
Can I freeze this casserole?
It can be frozen, but the texture may change slightly once reheated. For the best flavor and texture, we recommend enjoying it fresh.
Why is my hash brown casserole watery?
This usually happens if the hash browns were not fully thawed or if excess grease from the beef was not drained before mixing.
I hope that this super simple casserole becomes one of your favorites, and is a go-to when you want down-home cooking without spending hours in the kitchen.
More easy casserole recipes…
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Cheesy Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef, I used 93/7
- 1 small onion, diced
- 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 ½ cups sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided use
- 30-32 ounce bag frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium heat, until the beef is browned. Drain off any excess grease.2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 small onion
- Add the cooked beef, mushroom soup, sour cream, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, thawed hashbrowns, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a large bowl and mix until combined.10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup, 1 ½ cups sour cream, 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, 30-32 ounce bag frozen shredded hashbrowns, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Transfer the beefy hash brown mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Drizzle melted butter over the top and top with remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese.2 tablespoons butter
- Bake uncovered for 60 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the hash browns are thawed to avoid excess moisture.
- Recipe makes 8 hearty servings or 10 smaller servings.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
