Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe
This Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole is a comforting, hearty one-pot meal combining layers of thinly sliced potatoes, savory ground beef, onions, and creamy mushroom sauce, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for an easy, hands-off dinner, it cooks low and slow to tender perfection in the crockpot.
- Author: Lena
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
- 4–5 medium russet or Yukon gold potatoes, thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
Dairy
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild), divided
- 1/2 cup milk
Pantry
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or chopped chives
- Brown the beef and onion: Cook the ground beef and chopped onion in a skillet over medium heat until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat to prevent greasiness in the casserole.
- Prepare the potatoes: Wash and thinly slice the potatoes evenly, about 1/8 inch thick. This ensures they cook uniformly without becoming mushy during the long crockpot cooking time.
- Layer the ingredients: In the crockpot, start with half of the sliced potatoes, followed by half of the cooked beef and onion mixture, then sprinkle a portion of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Repeat the layering with the remaining potatoes, beef, and another portion of cheese.
- Mix and pour sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pour this sauce evenly over the layered ingredients in the crockpot to add moisture and creamy flavor.
- Cook on low: Cover the crockpot and cook the casserole on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly throughout.
- Add finishing cheese and herbs: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top of the casserole. Cover again to allow the cheese to melt. Garnish with fresh parsley or chopped chives before serving for a burst of freshness and color.
Notes
- Using thinly sliced potatoes is crucial for even cooking in the crockpot.
- Drain excess fat from the beef after browning to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to taste before cooking.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of celery or cream of chicken for a different flavor.
- For a lower-fat version, use lean ground beef and reduced-fat cheese.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or chives add a nice fresh flavor at the end but are optional.
- Ensure the crockpot is large enough; a 4 to 6-quart crockpot works well for this recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, hamburger casserole, potato casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, cheesy casserole