Hamburger Potato Casserole

This hamburger potato casserole recipe creates a potato crust with layers of seasoned ground beef and corn underneath a melty topping of cheese, offering a delicious twist on cottage pie. I have fond memories of classic cottage pie, a dish I’d never seen or heard of until I moved from New York City to rural Vermont. There, in the cafeteria at our tiny elementary school, I had my first taste of the savory pie alongside freshly made maple baked beans.

Unlike a classic cottage pie recipe, this hamburger and potato casserole features the layers in reverse. A crust of thinly sliced potatoes is topped with ground beef, corn, and a creamy combination of creamy celery soup, milk and cheddar. The resulting hamburger casserole with potatoes is fantastic for cozy cool-weather dinners, potluck parties and small, casual gatherings.

Ingredients for Hamburger Potato Casserole

• Potatoes: Starchy russet potatoes are the best type of potato for a dish with a crispy ‘tater crust. Creamy all-purpose Yukon Gold potatoes also crisp up nicely. Waxy red-skinned potatoes wouldn’t be a first choice but can be used in a pinch.
• Butter: Salted or unsalted butter works for this hamburger casserole with potatoes recipe.
• Seasonings: Our hamburger and potato casserole recipe keeps seasonings simple with salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Check our recipe variations for ideas about how to spice up the recipe.
• Ground beef: You can use any type of ground beef, such as lean ground sirloin or ground chuck. If you have access to freshly ground beef from a butcher’s shop or a farmers market, that will likely be the most flavorful option.
• Frozen corn: Frozen corn preserves the deliciously sweet taste of corn year-round. However, if fresh corn happens to be in season when you make hamburger potato casserole, cut the kernels off the cob and throw them in.
• Cream of celery soup: A casserole classic, cream of celery soup adds richness to hamburger casserole with potatoes. Not into celery? Swap in the creamy condensed soup of your choice.
• Milk: The hamburger and potato casserole recipe calls for 2% milk, but you can use any milk you have on hand.
• Chopped onion: We typically use white or yellow onions for this dish, but red onions are a great option to add a pop of color.
• Cheddar cheese: Zingy cheddar cheese perks up the flavor of hamburger casserole with potatoes. If you enjoy bold cheese, don’t be afraid to go with extra-sharp cheddar.
• Parsley: A smattering of minced parsley adds a bit of color and fresh flavor. Feel free to omit it if you don’t have any kicking around.

Directions

Step 1: Roast the potatoes

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Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with butter and salt. Arrange the slices on the bottom and up the sides of a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until the potatoes are almost tender.

Step 2: Prepare the beef filling

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Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef over medium heat until it’s no longer pink. Drain and discard the grease. Sprinkle the beef and corn over the potatoes.

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Combine the soup, milk, garlic powder, pepper, onion and 1/2 cup cheese.

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Pour it over the beef mixture.

Step 3: Bake the casserole

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Bake the casserole, uncovered, at 400° for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake two to three minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

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Recipe Variations

• Try out new cheeses: Any melting cheese would taste amazing in a hamburger casserole with potatoes. Try Gruyere, Gouda, raclette or Emmenthaler. Just make sure to choose a cheese with a good moisture content. Aged cheeses are dryer and don’t melt as well.
• Use another ground meat: This hamburger and potato casserole can include any ground meat you enjoy, including ground pork, turkey or lamb.
• Add herbs and spices: To add bold flavor, mix in spices like smoked paprika or chipotle powder. For additional complexity, look to spice blends such as chili seasoning, Jamaican jerk seasoning or a Moroccan spice blend. If freshness is your goal, lean toward green herbs such as dill, oregano, thyme or extra parsley.

How to Store Hamburger Potato Casserole

Let the hamburger and potato casserole cool slightly. Store the leftovers in a tightly sealed container in the fridge.

How long does hamburger potato casserole last?

Casseroles like hamburger potato casserole last for up to three days in the fridge.

Can you freeze hamburger potato casserole?

You can freeze hamburger casserole with potatoes for up to three months. Bake the casserole as directed, and let it cool completely. Cover the casserole tightly and freeze. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

How do you reheat hamburger potato casserole?

Reheat individual portions of hamburger and potato casserole in the microwave until warmed through. To reheat an entire baking dish, remove the dish from the fridge while the oven preheats to 400°. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes or until warmed through.

Hamburger Potato Casserole Tips

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Can you layer the ingredients instead of making a potato crust?

We don’t recommend layering the ingredients in hamburger potato casserole. The potatoes take longer to cook than the other ingredients, so it’s important to bake them separately as a crust before adding the remaining ingredients.

What can you serve with hamburger potato casserole?

This hearty, filling dish benefits from light vegetable side dishes like garlic roasted broccoli. Drizzling veggies with a tangy vinegar like balsamic is a nice way to add a counterpoint to the casserole’s richness. Other great pairings include sauteed green beans, vinegar coleslaw, cherry tomato salad, or pear, apple and celery salad.

Can I add fresh veggies to hamburger casserole with potatoes?

You can add fresh or leftover vegetables to hamburger casserole with potatoes. When you cook the beef, add handfuls of fresh greens, such as spinach, kale or collards. They will wilt into the filling. If you have leftover cooked vegetables like green beans, broccoli or cauliflower, add them to the hamburger and potato casserole alongside the corn.