Name: Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole – easy recipes with ground beef
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 bag (about 20 oz) frozen hashbrowns, thawed; 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup; 1 cup sour cream; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

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There’s something wildly comforting about a casserole that doesn’t pretend to be fancy. This hamburger hashbrown casserole is pure feel-good food—like the edible version of fuzzy socks and a cozy blanket. I make this when I want dinner to feel like a warm hug from Grandma, minus the ‘why aren’t you married yet?’ conversation. We’ve got crispy hashbrowns meeting savory ground beef, all tucked under a gooey cheese blanket. This dish pulls zero punches—it’s rich, satisfying, and simple enough for even a Tuesday night meltdown meal. Best part? It reheats like a champ. Meal prep? Check. Fridge raider-proof? Double check. I’m telling you, once you scoop into that first cheesy corner, you’ll get it. This one’s for all of us who’ve ever stood in front of the fridge thinking, ‘What can I throw together that doesn’t require a culinary degree or an emotional breakdown?’ Hamburger hashbrown casserole, my friends. It’s the answer.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
3) Ingredients for Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
4) How to Make Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
5) Tips for Making Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
6) Making Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
8) Try these casseroles next!
9) Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This casserole makes a hearty, satisfying dinner in under an hour.
Perfect for meal prep and easy to reheat throughout the week.
A one-dish recipe that brings together beef, potatoes, and cheese without the fuss.
You can customize it with veggies or spices for extra kick.

2) Easy Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

This is what I call a back-pocket recipe. When your brain’s fried, the fridge is half empty, and you’re one spilled coffee away from meltdown, this hamburger hashbrown casserole steps in like the hero we didn’t know we needed. Twice last month I made this after coming home late from work—and it didn’t just feed us, it won hearts (and left no leftovers, which kinda broke mine).

It’s packed with beefy goodness and cozy hashbrowns, layered with creamy sauce and topped with gooey cheese. Everything just works. The beef brings the savory heat, the potatoes keep it grounded, and the cheese… well, cheese never needs a reason. The first time I made this, I caught my husband standing in front of the oven, fork in hand, waiting like it was Black Friday.

From pan to plate, it’s all straight-up easy. No weird steps or niche ingredients, just the kind of recipe that makes you say, “Heck yeah, I can do this.” Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding an entire crew, this dish is all-in comfort. And it’s more than just one of those easy recipes with ground beef—it’s the one I keep making again and again.

3) Ingredients for Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Ground Beef: A pound of ground beef is the hearty foundation of this casserole. It browns up beautifully and brings that deep, savory flavor that makes you want seconds before you’ve even finished your first bite.

Frozen Hashbrowns: Use a 20 oz bag, thawed. They save so much time and cook into this golden, fluffy layer that soaks up flavor like a dream. It’s the kind of shortcut you’ll be thankful for.

Cream of Mushroom Soup: A can of this silky soup brings all the creamy goodness without making an extra sauce. It’s the glue that ties everything together in the most delicious way.

Sour Cream: This adds tang, creaminess, and a bit of richness that really levels up the dish. It balances out the hearty beef with a smooth, cool bite.

Onion: Chop it fine and sauté it with the beef. That gentle sweetness rounds out the savory flavors and gives a cozy aroma that pulls everyone to the kitchen.

Shredded Cheddar Cheese: I mean, it’s cheese. Do we need more of a reason? Two cups—one for the mix and a nice cheesy layer on top. Golden, bubbly perfection.

Salt and Pepper: These humble seasonings wake everything up. Go by taste here—you’ll know when it’s just right.

Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These give a deeper flavor without the effort of chopping more. They tuck right into the dish and round things out.

Parsley (Optional): A sprinkle of fresh parsley makes the dish pop a bit visually. If you’ve got it, great. If not, nobody’s going to miss it once they taste what’s underneath.

4) How to Make Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish while you’re at it. Don’t skip this—scraping baked cheese off a pan is nobody’s idea of a good time.

Step 2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook your ground beef with the chopped onion. Stir it around until the beef loses its pink and the onions go soft and fragrant.

Step 3. Drain the grease from the skillet—trust me, you don’t want that hanging around in your casserole. Let it rest while you mix the sauce.

Step 4. In a large bowl, stir together the sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. The mixture should be creamy and smell like you’re onto something amazing.

Step 5. Fold in the beef mixture, hashbrowns, and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until everything’s coated evenly. You’ll want to taste it here and tweak seasoning if needed.

Step 6. Scoop the whole thing into your baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and send it to the oven.

Step 7. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes. You’re looking for a bubbling edge and a golden cheese crust on top. Once that’s achieved, pull it out and let it cool just enough so it won’t burn your mouth (but you’ll still burn your mouth because it smells so good).

5) Tips for Making Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Want more flavor from your beef? Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce while it cooks. It adds depth without overpowering the rest of the dish.

If your hashbrowns are still frozen, they might make the dish a bit soggy. Thaw them out first, and pat them dry if they’re holding water. The crispier the base, the better.

Use freshly shredded cheese if you can. The pre-shredded stuff is fine, but it doesn’t melt quite as nicely since it’s coated with anti-caking agents. The texture difference? Totally worth the small extra step.

6) Making Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole Ahead of Time

If you’re trying to save time, this casserole is a dream. You can prep it all the way through step 6, then cover and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. It’s perfect for holidays, weekend meal prep, or those weeks when dinner feels like one more thing you just can’t deal with.

I usually assemble it the night before, then bake it off the next day. You might need to add five or ten extra minutes to the cook time if it’s coming straight out of the fridge.

Another trick? Mix the ingredients in the same baking dish you’re going to cook it in. Fewer dishes, more joy. Just make sure it’s a deep dish—you’ll want all that cheesy, beefy goodness to stay tucked in tight.

7) Storing Leftover Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge. Pop them into an airtight container and they’ll stay good for up to four days. Reheat in the microwave or oven—both work just fine. The microwave’s faster, but the oven brings back that melty cheese top if you have the time.

If you want to freeze it, go ahead. Portion it into smaller containers, freeze, then reheat from frozen or thawed. I like to make a double batch when I’m already cooking and freeze one tray for those busy weeks when takeout sounds easier—but this tastes better.

Honestly, this casserole is one of those recipes that tastes even better the next day. The flavors settle in together, the texture holds up, and you’re gonna want it again as soon as the first bite hits.

8) Try these casseroles next!

9) Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole