Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole

Introduction

If you’re searching for a cozy, family-friendly dinner that comes together with just a few staples, this Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole is your answer. It’s loaded with savory flavor, requires minimal prep, and is hearty enough to satisfy even the hungriest eaters. This casserole is the ultimate comfort food—warm, filling, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something homemade without any fuss.

Why This Hamburger & Potato Casserole is a Winner

What makes this recipe especially appealing is its simplicity—five common ingredients blend into a rich, satisfying dish that’s both kid-approved and adult-pleasing. The layers of thinly sliced potatoes, flavorful ground beef, and creamy cheese sauce bake up into a bubbling, crowd-pleasing casserole. Minimal seasoning is needed thanks to the natural flavors melding together, making it both easy and delicious.

The Secret to Easier Prep: Thinly Sliced Potatoes

A key tip for casserole success is to slice your potatoes as thin as possible. Not only does this help them cook more evenly, but it also allows them to blend beautifully with the other ingredients. Using a mandoline or sharp knife ensures uniform slices, resulting in the perfect fork-tender texture every time.

Assembling the Casserole

To assemble, simply layer the thinly sliced potatoes with seasoned ground beef, top with cheese and a blend of soups or sauce, and bake until golden and bubbling. The minimal ingredient list keeps prep fast and cleanup simple, making this ideal for anyone seeking a no-stress dinner option.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

Serve this casserole with a crisp green salad or steamed veggies for a complete meal. If you want to elevate the flavors, toss in a pinch of dried herbs or sprinkle extra cheese on top before baking. Leftovers reheat well, making this a great option for meal-prep lunches.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This casserole yields about 6 hearty servings. Each serving contains approximately 350-400 calories, largely depending on the type of cheese and soup used. It’s a wholesome balance of protein, carbs, and creamy comfort.

Easy 5-Ingredient Hamburger & Potato Casserole (Recap)

With just five essential ingredients, this casserole delivers big on flavor and comfort with very little effort. It’s the kind of satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal that fits right into any busy week.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and streamlined meal planning!

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and onions are soft. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess grease.
3. Layer half of the thinly sliced potatoes on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the beef and onion mixture over the potatoes. Repeat layers with the remaining potatoes and beef mixture.
4. Spread the condensed cream of mushroom soup evenly over the top layer. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over everything as the finishing touch.
5. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 20–25 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Let casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This easy casserole is a fantastic choice for anyone building a smart weekly meal plan. Save and schedule this recipe to automatically add all the ingredients to a master shopping list and optimize your grocery trip by organizing items by department.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient needs for all planned meals
• Builds organized shopping lists by store section
• Reduces duplicate purchases and ensures you never miss an ingredient
• Simplifies meal planning for busy families or individuals

Pro tip: If you’re making this casserole and another planned recipe both requiring ground beef or potatoes, schedule your recipes so CookifyAI can total up the quantities—making meal prep smoother and shopping trips even more streamlined.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Enjoy this hearty, low-fuss casserole and discover just how easy (and delicious) smart meal planning can be!