Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

Hamburger hash brown casserole is a hearty, family-favorite dish featuring lean ground beef, creamy sauce, crispy hash browns, and gooey cheese for a satisfying meal option.

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Table of Contents

Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How To Make This Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
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If you are looking for a comforting and crowd-pleasing meal, our hamburger hash brown casserole is the answer. With its rich flavors and cheesy goodness, it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s sure to become a family favorite on busy weeknights.

Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Ingredients

Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole raw ingredients that are labeled

The hearty ground beef provides a meaty flavor, while the mushroom soup adds richness, and the combination of sour cream and half and half lends creaminess and a touch of tanginess.

The star of the dish is the crispy hash browns, which provide a delightful texture and absorb the flavors, while mild cheddar cheese adds a gooey layer.

If you’re ready to dive into making this savory hamburger hashbrown casserole, here are the ingredients you’ll need:

2 pounds of lean ground beef
¾ cup of finely chopped sweet yellow onion
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 (10.5-ounce or 298-gram) can of cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
⅔ cup of sour cream
⅔ cup of half and half
1½ teaspoons of kosher salt
1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1 teaspoon of fresh cracked black pepper
1 (30-ounce or 850-gram) package of thawed frozen hash browns
3 cups of freshly shredded mild cheddar cheese (divided in half)

PRO TIP:

Grate your own cheese for the best meltability and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese often contains additives that can affect the texture.

Substitutions and Additions

GARNISH: You can garnish the casserole with thinly sliced green onions or chopped chives.

GROUND BEEF: For a leaner option, you can use ground turkey or ground chicken. If you prefer a plant-based alternative, consider using crumbled tofu or a meatless ground substitute.

CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP: You can substitute golden mushroom soup, cheddar cheese soup, cream of celery, or cream of chicken soup for a different flavor twist.

For a homemade touch, create your own mushroom soup base using fresh mushrooms, cream, and seasonings.

SOUR CREAM: Greek yogurt makes an excellent substitute for sour cream, providing a creamy and tangy element.

HASH BROWNS: Experiment with different types of hash browns, such as shredded or diced potatoes or even sweet potato hash browns, for a unique variation on this easy recipe.

CHEESE: While mild cheddar cheese is classic, feel free to use other cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for a bolder flavor in your ground beef hashbrown casserole.

SPICE IT UP: Add some heat by incorporating a quarter teaspoon of red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or diced jalapeños to the mix for a spicier version.

How To Make This Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

Once you prepare the ground beef mixture, it gets spread in your baking dish and popped in the oven to heat until the cheese is deliciously gooey.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Generously spray a 9×13 (or 13×9) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

STEP TWO: Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and garlic to a 10 to 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.

Cook for five to six minutes, stirring often, or until the ground beef is cooked through and no longer pink. Drain any excess oil.

beef, onion, and garlic added to a skillet

STEP THREE: Transfer the cooked onion and ground beef mixture to a large heat-proof bowl (4 to 5 quarts).

STEP FOUR: Add the undiluted cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, half and half, kosher salt, dried Italian seasoning, onion powder, and cracked black pepper to a medium bowl (2-3 quarts).

Whisk until the mixture is smooth.

cream of mushrooms soup, sour cream, half and half, italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper whisked together

STEP FIVE: Add the thawed frozen hash browns to the ground beef. Pour the soup mixture over the hash browns and ground beef. Stir to combine.

Stir in 1½ cups of the shredded cheese to the ground beef and hash browns.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Adding the hash browns and soup mixture first will help cool the mixture down before adding the cheese.

soup mixture poured over the hash brown and beef and stirred

STEP SIX: Evenly spoon the ground beef and hash brown mixture into the prepared casserole dish.

Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the hash browns begin to turn golden brown. Remove the baking dish from the oven.

Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Bake for an additional three to five minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve while hot.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your casserole as the suggested baking time approaches.

How To Serve

Enjoy this delicious casserole as the star of your meal, accompanied by a simple Caesar side salad or roasted vegetables for a well-rounded dinner that the whole family will love.

Pair this dish with a fresh tomato cucumber salad, some garlic bread, or cheesy pull apart bread for a delightful dining experience.

For a couple more of our favorite easy casseroles, check out our cowboy casserole and pizza casserole.

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Storage

We have a few handy tips to help you keep any leftovers fresh or make your casserole ahead of time.

MAKE AHEAD: If you want to prepare ahead, assemble the casserole up to the point of baking, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed when you’re ready to serve.

IN THE FRIDGE: Leftover casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or oven.

IN THE FREEZER: To freeze, cover the unbaked ground beef casserole tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Label it with the date and freeze for up to two months.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

REHEATING: Reheat leftovers in the microwave for a quick fix or in the oven for a crispy texture. For the oven, cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350°F until heated through.

Why We Love This Recipe

COMFORT FOOD: The combination of creamy mushroom soup, melty cheese, and crispy hash browns creates an irresistible, perfect comfort food experience that satisfies every time.

EASY TO MAKE: With straightforward steps and easy-to-find simple ingredients, it’s a recipe that even novice cooks can master, delivering impressive results every time.

MAKE AHEAD: The ability to make it ahead or freeze for later ensures convenience and flexibility for busy schedules and planning ahead.

overhead shot of Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole on a plate

Our hamburger hashbrown casserole is a delightful creation that combines the heartiness of ground beef, the creaminess of mushroom soup, and the crunch of hash browns. Its versatility, ease of preparation, and comforting flavors make it an excellent addition to any meal repertoire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works well in this hashbrown hamburger casserole recipe.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

You can assemble it and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I use different types of cheese?

Feel free to experiment with various cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for different flavor profiles.

How do I make this casserole spicier?

To add some heat, you can incorporate red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or diced jalapeños to the mix for a spicier version.

Can I use homemade mushroom soup instead of canned?

A homemade mushroom soup base using fresh mushrooms, cream, and seasonings will add a personal touch to the dish.

Can I use different types of hash browns?

Experiment with different hash brown varieties, such as shredded or diced potatoes, or even sweet potato hash browns, for unique variations.

Can I make this delicious casserole for a large gathering?

Simply double the ingredients and use a larger baking dish to accommodate a larger crowd.

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Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

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Hamburger hash brown casserole is a hearty, family-favorite dish featuring lean ground beef, creamy sauce, crispy hash browns, and gooey cheese for a satisfying meal option.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 55

Total Time 1 10

Servings

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Ingredients

2 pounds lean ground beef
¾ cup sweet yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup, 298 gram undiluted
⅔ cup sour cream
⅔ cup half and half
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
30 ounces thawed frozen hash browns, 850 gram
3 cups freshly shredded mild cheddar cheese, divided in half

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Generously spray a 9×13 (or 13×9) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and garlic to a 10 to 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring often, or until the ground beef is cooked through and no longer pink. Drain any excess oil.
Transfer the cooked ground beef and onion mixture to a large heat-proof bowl (4 to 5 quarts).
Add the undiluted cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, half and half, kosher salt, dried Italian seasoning, onion powder, and cracked black pepper to a medium-sized mixing bowl (2 to 3 quarts). Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
Add the thawed frozen hash browns to the ground beef. Pour the soup mixture over the hash browns and ground beef. Stir to combine. Stir in 1½ cups of the shredded cheese to the ground beef and hash browns.
Evenly spoon the ground beef and hash brown mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 45 to 50 minutes or until the hash browns begin to turn golden brown. Remove the baking dish from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Bake for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve while hot.

Notes

Grate your own cheese for the best meltability and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese often contains additives that can affect the texture.
Adding the hash browns and soup mixture first will help cool the mixture down before adding the cheese.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your casserole as the suggested baking time approaches.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!