My cheesy hamburger potato casserole is made with tender potatoes, flavorful ground beef, and layers of rich, melty cheese. It’s the perfect hearty casserole for weeknight dinners and takes only 15 minutes to prepare before popping it in the oven!

If you love casseroles made with potatoes, try my chicken tater tot casserole next, or check out my recipe for sweet potato casserole with canned yams.

Recipes like my pork chop casserole and this 5 ingredient hamburger potato casserole are truly lifesavers because they’re made with few ingredients and super easy. They are ready to pop in the oven in just a matter of minutes!

Plus, once the casserole is baking, the recipe is almost entirely hands-off, so I can sit back and enjoy some family time while the oven does the work.

Hamburger casserole ingredients 

• Ground beef – I use 80/20 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and moisture. Feel free to use leaner beef if you’d like!
• Potatoes – Russet potatoes are my favorite to use in this dish. They have a light, fluffy texture and soak up the creamy sauce so well!
• Cream of chicken soup – This condensed soup has a thick, velvety texture and is packed with savory notes. I use canned soup here to keep this hamburger casserole with potatoes simple!
• Milk – Thins out the thick condensed soup while also adding richness and creaminess. Whole milk is my go-to.
• Shredded cheddar cheese – Adds bold, sharp flavor to the casserole and creates a melty, gooey topping. 
• Salt and pepper – These bring out the flavor of the beef and the creamy potato layers.

How to make cheesy hamburger potato casserole

STEP ONE: While the oven preheats to 375°F, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain the grease, then season it with the salt and pepper.

STEP TWO: In a medium bowl, combine the milk and cream of chicken soup, whisking until smooth.

STEP THREE: Arrange half the potatoes in an even layer in the dish. Pour half the soup mixture over them, then scatter on half the beef and half the cheese. Do the same again with the remaining potatoes, soup, beef, and cheese.

STEP FOUR: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Remove the foil and return to the oven to bake uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes.

STEP FIVE: Allow the hamburger potato casserole to cool for 10 minutes, then serve and enjoy!

Expert tips

• I use freshly shredded cheese because it melts and tastes so much better than pre-shredded.  
• Drain any excess grease from the ground beef. This ensures the cheesy hamburger potato casserole doesn’t turn out oily.
• Slice the potatoes thin and even. The first time I cut them by hand and left some thick, those pieces were still firm when the cheese was already done. A mandoline gets them all the same thickness so they cook through in the same bake.
• Add a layer of cooking spray to the underside of the foil. A light layer will keep the cheesy topping from sticking to the cover.

Variations

• Canned sliced potatoes can be used to make this easy hamburger potato casserole recipe even easier, especially if you are short on time or don’t have access to a mandoline slicer.
• Avoid using waxy potatoes. While I usually go with russet, Yukon Gold potatoes also work so well. They turn out wonderfully creamy when sliced and cooked in recipes like this casserole and my crockpot scalloped potatoes.
• For a spicy twist, I use Pepper Jack cheese instead of cheddar. My husband loves the subtle but flavorful warmth it adds to the recipe.
• If I don’t have milk on hand, heavy cream or half-and-half would make the best substitutes. They add even more creaminess and richness to the dish.  

What to serve with hamburger casserole

My cheesy hamburger potato casserole tastes delicious with my simple macaroni salad recipe and my broccoli crunch salad because they have a delightful creaminess and crunch to them! To keep things light, my kids love pairing their plate with my sweet cinnamon applesauce recipe or my easy biscuit recipe.

Cheesy hamburger potato casserole FAQs 

How long does hamburger casserole take to cook?

This recipe requires about 1 hour and 20 minutes of active cooking time. With prep time and cooling time added in, it takes me about 1 hour and 45 minutes from start to finish.

Can I make this easy hamburger potato casserole ahead of time?

Yes! This casserole can easily be assembled up to 1 day ahead. If you are making it ahead of time, be sure to wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap before refrigerating it to keep it fresh.

How should I store leftover casserole?

Stored in an airtight container, this hamburger casserole with potatoes will last for 4 days in the refrigerator. It also freezes super well for up to 3 months. Before freezing slices, I wrap them tightly in plastic or foil first, then transfer them to freezer-safe containers.

How do I reheat leftover hamburger casserole?

If I’m reheating the whole casserole, I like to cover it with foil and bake at 350°F. It will be warmed through in 20 to 30 minutes. With smaller portions, the microwave works best, and it takes just 2 to 3 minutes to reheat.

More Beef Recipes

• Burger bowl recipe
• Easy meatloaf recipe
• Hamburger steak recipe
• Oven baked hamburgers
• Air fryer hamburger patties