Hamburger Potato Casserole Mash
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Hamburger Potato Casserole makes comfort food easy, giving you a true meat-and-potatoes meal with no shortage of savory flavor. It’s also a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, plus any veggies hanging around the fridge. And with this hamburger potato casserole recipe, dinner’s on the table in about 30 minutes!
Hamburger Potato Casserole
Consider this an American version of cottage pie, loaded with seasoned ground beef, creamy mashed potatoes, and plenty of freshly shredded cheese.
Even better — there are so many ways to make this recipe your own!
Whether it’s extra veggies, a different type of meat, or your own favorite blend of seasonings, you can create a hamburger mashed potato casserole that your family will love… and beg for all the time.
Skillet recipes have always been a favorite around here. My family loves all of the different flavor combinations, and I love not having a pile of dishes to clean at the end of the night.
Try my cheesy skillet gnocchi or homemade hamburger helper next!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Ground Beef – I typically use a leaner blend, but use what you have and just drain off any excess grease.
You could also substitute ground turkey or chicken for an even leaner version. - Dry Ranch Powder – This is the kind that comes in a packet, found near the salad dressings. You only need a tablespoon, so save the rest for another recipe.
I also have a homemade version, perfect for always having some on hand! - Condensed Soup – Beefy mushroom soup is my top choice due to all that savory flavor. Add it right from the can!
Not to be confused with cream of mushroom soup, though that would probably be tasty too. - Mashed Potatoes – Leftovers are perfect for this hamburger potato casserole recipe!
Otherwise, you’ll need to make these first — I’d suggest my crockpot version so they’re ready when it’s time to start dinner. - Cheese – I love Colby Jack, but cheddar or Monterey Jack are great substitutes. Or Pepper Jack if you want to add a little kick!
Tips and Tricks to Make Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
- Don’t overcook the ground beef.
Yes, you want to brown it until there’s no more pink, but be sure to turn off the stove as soon as it’s cooked so it doesn’t dry out in the oven.
- Add the mashed potatoes by the spoonful.
Drop spoonfuls all over the top of the ground beef until it’s mostly covered. You can leave it just like that or gently spread out the mounds to connect them into an even layer.
If you try to dump all of the mashed potatoes right on top, it’s a lot harder to keep the layers separate.
- Don’t have an oven-proof skillet?
There’s an easy fix! Simply transfer the meat mixture to a greased baking dish before topping with the mashed potatoes and cheese.
- Get creative with the flavors!
Add some heat with chopped jalapeno or banana peppers — toss them right in with the meat and seasonings. Or, sneak in more veggies like corn or peas.
For a more kid-friendly version, swap the beefy mushroom soup with a cheese-based soup or add a little extra shredded cheese on top.
And for a Deluxe version of hamburger mashed potato casserole, sauté mushrooms with the onions, then top the finished dish with fresh Parmesan and chopped herbs!
Prep Ahead
- Make mashed potatoes (if you don’t have leftovers)
- Chop onions
- Shred cheese
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Large Skillet – Cast iron is my top choice for hamburger potato casserole, but it just needs to be oven-safe.
- Wood Turner – My most used spoon or spatula in my kitchen! It’s amazing for sautéing vegetables and browning meat.
- Cheese Grater – Fresh cheese makes this recipe even better! Skip the bagged shreds and buy a block to grate yourself.
Serving Suggestions
With a cheesy hamburger potato casserole for dinner, all that’s left to make is something green!
I like something with some crunch to contrast the creamy, cheesy main dish — think crispy Brussels sprouts or a big, fresh salad.
But if you’re going for pure comfort, you can’t go wrong with creamed spinach and a batch of warm garlic knots!
Storing and Reheating Hamburger Mashed Potato Casserole
Allow leftovers to cool, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
To reheat individual servings, use your air fryer!
Spoon some of the hamburger potato casserole into a heat-proof ramekin or small baking dish. Place it in the air fryer and cook for 4-6 minutes at 300°F.
Or, warm several portions of leftovers by returning them to the oven and baking until warmed through.
Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe FAQ
Essentially, yes, but it’s not a traditional shepherd’s pie recipe. That usually contains some amount of lamb or mutton and more veggies.
This cheesy hamburger potato casserole could probably be called a cottage pie since it’s made with beef. It also includes a savory condensed soup instead of gravy and plenty of cheese on top!
There could be a few reasons! One possibility is that your mashed potatoes were too loose to begin with. Make sure to drain any excess liquid after mashing — letting the potatoes sit for a few minutes before adding to the casserole can help them firm up too.
It could also be because you didn’t remove the grease from the ground beef after browning. If you’re using a fattier blend, drain the meat before adding the soup.
Sure, and there are a number of ways to do so! You’ll already need to make the mashed potatoes beforehand, but you can also brown the ground beef (don’t forget the onions!) ahead of time too. Refrigerate the meat and potatoes separately, then assemble the dish just before baking.
You can also assemble the dish, then cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Do this in a baking dish instead of the cast iron and add a few minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s warmed through.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Hamburger Potato Casserole Mash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped white onions
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon dry ranch powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 10.5 ounce can condensed beefy mushroom soup
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Drizzle the olive oil in a large oven safe skillet, over medium heat.
- Add the onions to the skillet and cook until they become translucent, 3-5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef, ranch seasoning, salt, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and onion powder in the skillet.
- Using a heat-proof spoon, break the ground beef into pieces. Cook until the ground beef is completely cooked.
- Add the beefy mushroom soup to the beef mixture. Spread evenly and mix well.
- Sprinkle half the cheese on top of the beef mixture.
- Add the mashed potatoes on top of the meat and cheese. Do not stir. *NOTE* To make it easier, instead of adding the mashed potatoes in one big lump, add a spoonful of mashed potatoes until you have the meat covered.
- Make sure the potatoes are spread evenly all over the beef mixture as best as possible.
- Sprinkle the rest of the cheese over the potatoes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Let the casserole cool off for a few minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published September 2024
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