A comforting and hearty casserole featuring ground beef, potatoes, and cheese, perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup (or cream of celery, or cheddar)
- 1/2 cup milk (or beef broth)
- 1 (16 oz) package frozen diced hash brown potatoes (or sliced potatoes)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or cooking oil)
- Optional: 1/2 cup sour cream (mixed in after baking)
- Optional: Green onions or parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Combine Ingredients: In the skillet with the cooked beef, add the cream of mushroom soup, milk (or broth), salt, pepper, and paprika (if using). Stir well to combine.
- Layer in Casserole Dish: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread the frozen hash browns evenly across the bottom. Pour the ground beef mixture over the potatoes.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Optional Additions: if you wish to add sour cream, let the casserole cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then dollop and spread the sour cream over the top.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley (if desired). Let it cool slightly before serving.
Tips and Variations:
- For extra flavor, you can add a packet of onion soup mix to the ground beef mixture.
- Use different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a blend.
- Add vegetables like frozen peas, corn, or mixed vegetables to the ground beef mixture.
- If using sliced potatoes, you may need to par boil them for a few minutes before adding them to the casserole.
- For a spicier casserole, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the ground beef mixture.
- For a richer flavor, use beef broth instead of milk.
Enjoy your delicious Hamburger Potato Casserole!