Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

Ground beef is a dinnertime staple, not just because it’s versatile but also because it’s an affordable option for family meals. If you’re looking to branch out from your usual ground beef recipes, this hamburger hash brown casserole is a fun way to make deconstructed hamburgers. It’s an easy mashup recipe if you’re obsessed with cheeseburgers like me. I lean on it when I don’t have time to shape and grill patties or assemble burgers.

Make this hash brown hamburger casserole by topping shredded hash brown potatoes with a mix of ground beef, heaps of cheese, a bag of frozen mixed vegetables, brown gravy sauce and fried onions. It’s the perfect dish for make-ahead meals on busy weeknights. And, like many of our favorite casserole recipes, it starts with a bag of frozen potatoes. That means less chopping and fewer dishes, which we can all appreciate!

Ingredients for Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

• Shredded hash browns: Use a bag of frozen shredded hash browns for quick meal prep. You don’t even have to thaw them since they’ll thaw in Step 1.
• Ground beef: You can buy fresh ground beef, but this is also a great way to use up that pound of ground beef you’ve had sitting in your freezer. Make sure to thaw it before starting the recipe.
• Canola oil: Saute the hash browns in canola oil to get them crispy. You can use olive oil or a high-heat oil like grapeseed oil instead.
• Seasonings: Use freshly ground black pepper and garlic salt for simple flavoring.
• Water: Water is used here to quickly hydrate the brown gravy mix.
• Brown gravy mix: The brown gravy mix makes for a tasty and fast sauce in this casserole. If you prefer homemade gravy, try our foolproof gravy recipe and substitute that for the water and gravy mix.
• Frozen mixed vegetables: Keep a bag of frozen mixed vegetables in your freezer for whenever you want to pack in the veggies without all the fuss of chopping and cooking them.
• French-fried onions: I can never resist recipes that use french-fried onions. They bake into the top of this casserole with the cheese to make the most irresistible topping.
• Cheddar cheese: Use sharp cheddar cheese for a little kick, and make sure to grate your own cheese for the best melt.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the hash browns

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the frozen hash brown potatoes with the oil and pepper.

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Press them into a greased 8-inch square baking dish, making sure that the hash browns reach the edges. Bake the hash browns, uncovered, until the potatoes are thawed and set, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 2: Make the meat filling

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Meanwhile, heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the beef and cook it for five to seven minutes until it is no longer pink, breaking it up into crumbles with the back of a spoon as it cooks.

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Drain any liquid, then stir in the water, gravy mix and garlic salt.

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Bring the mixture to a boil and continue to cook it for two minutes, stirring often.

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Add the vegetables and continue to cook and stir for five minutes. Add half of the onions and the cheese, and mix until everything is well incorporated.

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Pour the mixture over the potatoes, and even it out with a spatula.

Step 3: Bake the casserole

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Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove it from the oven and sprinkle the top with the remaining onions and cheese. Continue to bake until the cheese is melted, about five minutes longer.

Editor’s Tip: For the best texture, let the casserole rest for up to 10 minutes before serving it.

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Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Variations

• Change up the vegetables: Use other vegetables if you prefer something specific, or if you have something different on hand. If you love broccoli casseroles, you can use broccoli or cauliflower here. Try it with either fresh, finely chopped sweet peppers or a can of green Hatch chiles.
• Use different cheeses: Instead of sharp cheddar cheese, try a spicy pepper jack cheese, shredded Mexican blend or even Swiss cheese. You could also add some of everyone’s favorite process cheese, Velveeta.
• Add spices: Take this hamburger hash brown casserole in whichever direction you prefer with different spice blends. Try adding taco seasoning, Italian seasoning or Creole seasoning mix.

How to Store Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

How long does hamburger hash brown casserole last?

Casseroles are infamously great for making ahead because all the flavors meld together. If you store it properly—in the fridge with a lid or wrapped in storage wrap—it will last for up to four days.

Can you freeze hamburger hash brown casserole?

This hamburger hash brown casserole recipe is great for freezing, both before it’s baked and after. If it’s baked, let it fully cool down before wrapping it tightly in storage wrap and freezing it. It will stay good in the freezer for up to three months.

To freeze it unbaked, assemble the casserole through Step 2 in a freezer-safe baking dish, then wrap it tightly in storage wrap and freeze it.

How do you reheat hamburger hash brown casserole?

Reheat your frozen hamburger hash brown casserole straight from the freezer—there’s no need to thaw it. You’ll need to double the cooking time, but you can keep the temperature the same.

Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Tips

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Do you need to thaw frozen hash browns for hamburger hash brown casserole?

I love that you don’t have to thaw the frozen hash browns for this recipe. They’ll thaw in Step 1 as they cook before being topped with the beef and cheese mixture.

What can you serve with hamburger hash brown casserole?

This dish is so hearty and cheesy that it goes best with something fresh and green. Make a lemon vinaigrette or a red wine vinaigrette to mix with some romaine or mixed greens, or have the casserole with steamed broccoli or old-fashioned green beans.

What type of ground beef is best for this hash brown and hamburger casserole?

When it comes to which ground beef is best for what you’re cooking, you’ll want to look at the fat content. Higher percentages of fat will yield the juiciest meat. If you want a leaner ground beef, look for a lower percentage.