Cheesy Ground Beef and Hash Brown Casserole: A Hearty Family Classic

If comfort had a name, it’d be cheesy ground beef and hash brown casserole. I still remember dragging myself out of bed on a chilly Sunday morning just to smell it baking in the oven. In this article, you’ll learn not only how to make it step by step, but also tips to avoid sogginess, flavor hacks, and FAQs to clear up all your doubts.

Grant Logan

Cheesy Ground Beef and Hash Brown Casserole: A Hearty Family Classic

If comfort had a name, it’d be this cheesy ground beef and hash brown casserole  hearty, nostalgic, and packed with flavor. The perfect one-dish dinner for busy nights or lazy weekends.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Casserole

Cuisine: American

Calories: 520

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb 450g lean ground beef
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced (optional)
• 1 30 oz bag frozen shredded hash browns, thawed and drained
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 –2 cans cream of mushroom or chicken soup
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika optional

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. In a skillet, cook ground beef with diced onion and garlic until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
3. In a large bowl, mix thawed hash browns, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, cream soup(s), salt, pepper, and seasonings.
4. Fold in the cooked beef mixture.
5. Spread evenly into prepared casserole dish.
6. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
8. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
9. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Add veggies like bell peppers, peas, or corn for extra texture. You can substitute ground turkey or use a mix of soups. Letting it rest after baking helps it slice cleanly.

Why This Cheesy Ground Beef and Hash Brown Casserole Works

The appeal of meat + potatoes + cheese

This dish hits all the right notes: the savory depth of ground beef, the creamy texture of a cheesy binder, and the satisfying bite of potatoes. It has that one-dish magic where you combine protein, starch, and flavor in a warming bake. Variations show up in many “funeral potato” or hashbrown casserole recipes but adding beef gives it main-dish status.

Key ingredients that make a difference

To get it right, pay attention to:

• Lean ground beef (80/20 or leaner), browned and drained, so the casserole isn’t greasy
• Frozen shredded hash browns (thawed and drained of excess moisture)
• A creamy binder (cream soups, sour cream, sometimes milk or broth) to marry everything
• Sharp cheddar cheese (or a blend) some folded in, some on top
• Seasonings: onion, garlic, salt, pepper, optionally paprika or herbs

With those building blocks, you can riff on additions (e.g. veggies, spices) while keeping the core intact.

How to Assemble & Bake Your Casserole

Prep & layering strategy

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole pan (or equivalent).
2. Brown the beef and sauté aromatics: Cook ground beef with diced onion (and garlic if using) until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
3. Mix the base: In a large bowl, combine thawed hash browns, part of the cheese, sour cream, and a can (or two) of cream soup (mushroom, chicken, or a mix). Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.
4. Incorporate beef: Fold in the cooked ground beef to that mixture.
5. Layer or combine: Some versions layer the potato mix, then beef, then more potatoes on top; others simply mix all ingredients and spread evenly.
6. Cheese topping: Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
7. Bake: Cover with foil and bake ~45 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until edges are bubbly and the top is golden.
8. Rest: Let it sit 5-10 minutes before serving so it sets up nicely.

Flavor Hacks & Custom Variations

Add texture or veggies

Boost nutritional value and interest by stirring in sautéed bell peppers, corn, peas, or mushrooms. Just be careful not to add too much liquid. Some cooks even top with breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for crunch.
For a southwestern twist, include diced green chiles, cumin, or taco seasoning.

Swap the soup or binder

While many recipes use cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup, you may substitute with cream of celery, homemade white sauce, or a mix of broth + flour slurry. Adjust seasoning to compensate.
For a lighter version, reduce cheese or use part Greek yogurt.

Serving Tips, Storage & Reheating

What to serve it with

Because the casserole is rich, pair it with a crisp green salad, steamed vegetables, or a light vinaigrette side. That contrast adds freshness.
Leftovers reheat well and sometimes taste even better after a day in the fridge.

Make-ahead & freezing

You can assemble the casserole (without baking) and store it covered in the fridge for up to a day. When ready, bake as usual (you may need to add a few minutes).
For freezing, wrap tightly and freeze up to 2–3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before baking.

Reheating leftovers

Warm in the oven (~325 °F) for 10–15 minutes until heated through. Microwaving works for portions, though the texture softens slightly.

Troubleshooting: Common Issues & Fixes

• Soggy casserole: Too much moisture from unthawed hash browns or undrained beef. Fix: drain well, pat dry, or reduce added liquid.
• Top burns before filling heats: Bake covered for most of the time, unveil near the end.
• Plain flavor: Add more aromatics (onion, garlic, paprika, or herbs) or a splash of broth.
• Doesn’t slice cleanly: Let it rest after baking so it firms up.

These fixes ensure your cheesy ground beef and hash brown casserole turns out reliably great every time.

Conclusion & Keyword Summary

This cheesy ground beef and hash brown casserole is a true weeknight champion: simple to assemble, flavorful, and satisfying. With just a few quality ingredients and the layering technique outlined above, you can deliver comforting dinners that get devoured. The key is balance moisture control, flavorful seasoning, and letting it rest before cutting. It’s versatile too, so feel free to tinker with veggies or seasoning blends while keeping the core intact.

FAQ for cheesy ground beef and hash brown casserole:

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