Cheesy Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole (Easy Comfort Food)
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This cheesy slow cooker hamburger potato casserole stands out among hamburger beef crockpot recipes as the ultimate comfort food solution. It combines tender slices of russet potatoes, savory seasoned ground beef, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce into one hearty meal that cooks to perfection while you go about your day. Perfect for busy families, this “dump and go” dinner delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, ensuring a warm, satisfying meal is ready the moment you walk through the door.
If you have been endlessly searching for hamburger beef crockpot recipes that the whole family will actually eat, look no further. I remember the days of staring at a package of ground beef at 5 PM, completely uninspired. That changed when I threw together this cheesy potato and beef casserole. The aroma of melting cheddar and savory beef greeting me at the door instantly transformed a chaotic Wednesday into a cozy family dinner night.
This dish is the definition of comfort food. Imagine layers of soft, tender potatoes and hearty ground beef, all bathed in a creamy sauce and blanketed with melted cheese. It’s warm, filling, and requires almost zero active cooking time once it’s in the slow cooker.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Casserole
Among all the hamburger beef crockpot recipes out there, here is why this one will become a staple in your rotation:
- Budget-Friendly: utilizes affordable staples like potatoes, ground beef, and canned soup to feed a crowd for less.
- Kid-Approved: The familiar flavors of meat, potatoes, and cheese are picky-eater friendly—no “weird” green stuff hiding inside!
- True Dump-and-Go: Aside from quickly browning the beef, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
- Versatile Leftovers: It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prepping lunches for the week.
Ingredients for Hamburger Potato Casserole
To make this hearty dish, you will need the following simple ingredients:
The Core Components:
1 pound lean ground beef: I recommend 90% lean beef so the casserole doesn’t become greasy. If using a higher fat content, be sure to drain it thoroughly after browning.
2 pounds Russet potatoes: Russets are best here because their high starch content helps thicken the sauce and they become perfectly fluffy-tender during slow cooking.
The Flavor & Sauce:
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup: This acts as the creamy binder. You can easily substitute cream of chicken or cheddar cheese soup if you prefer.
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese: Divided use. Freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded bagged cheese, which contains anti-caking agents.
Aromatics: A yellow onion and fresh garlic add the necessary savory depth to the beef mixture.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Brown ground beef with diced onions in a skillet until fully cooked, adding garlic in the last minute. Drain excess grease thoroughly.
Peel and slice potatoes into uniform 1/8-inch rounds. Consistent sizing prevents undercooked potato slices.
Whisk together cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, pepper, and paprika in a bowl until smooth.
Layer 1/3 potatoes, 1/3 beef mixture, 1/3 cheese, and 1/3 soup mix in the greased crockpot. Repeat layers twice, reserving the final cheese portion.
Cheesy Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole (Easy Comfort Food)
Equipment
- 6-quart slow cooker, large skillet, chef's knife, cutting board, vegetable peeler, medium mixing bowl, whisk, cheese grater, measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the beef is fully browned and onions are translucent (about 5-7 minutes). Add the minced garlic during the last minute of cooking. Drain any excess grease well.
- 2
While the beef cooks, peel your potatoes and slice them thinly (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick). Uniform slices are crucial for even cooking.
- 3
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, pepper, and paprika until smooth and combined.
- 4
Lightly grease the inside of your 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray. Arrange about one-third of the sliced potatoes in an even layer at the bottom.
- 5
Top the potatoes with one-third of the browned beef mixture, followed by one-third of the cheese (approx. 2/3 cup), and one-third of the soup mixture. Spread the soup mixture gently to cover.
- 6
Repeat these layers two more times, ending with the soup mixture on top. Save the final 2/3 cup of cheese for later—do not add the top layer of cheese yet, or it may burn.
- 7
Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 6-7 hours. The casserole is done when the potatoes are fork-tender.
- 8
About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and let it melt until bubbly.
- 9
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before scooping to allow the sauce to set slightly. Serve warm.
Notes
To ensure the best texture, avoid using waxy potatoes like red or Yukon gold, as they don’t absorb the sauce as well as Russets. If you prefer a thinner sauce, you can increase the milk to 3/4 cup.
For a lighter version, you can substitute ground turkey for the beef and use a low-sodium or low-fat cream soup. If you don’t have cream of mushroom soup, you can make a homemade white sauce (béchamel) thickened with flour and butter.
Make-ahead tip: You can brown the beef and onions the night before and store them in the fridge. However, slice the potatoes right before cooking to prevent them from oxidizing and turning brown.
Pro Tips for Perfect Hamburger Beef Crockpot Recipes
Ensure your casserole turns out perfectly every time with these expert tips:
- Slice Uniformly: Use a mandoline slicer for the potatoes if you have one. Keeping the slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick ensures they cook evenly. If they are too thick, they may remain hard while the rest of the dish overcooks.
- Don’t Skip Browning: While some recipes allow raw beef, browning the meat with onions first develops the Maillard reaction, adding a depth of flavor that raw boiling simply cannot achieve.
- Layer Properly: Treat this like a lasagna. Layering potatoes, meat, and sauce ensures every bite is balanced and flavors permeate the dish evenly.
- Grease the Pot: Potatoes love to stick. Generously spray your slow cooker liner with non-stick cooking spray or use a slow cooker liner bag for easy cleanup.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
This hearty casserole is a meal in itself, but it pairs beautifully with fresh sides.
Pairing Ideas:
- Steamed green beans with lemon
- A crisp garden salad with vinaigrette to cut the richness
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls
Flavor Twists:
- Bacon Cheeseburger Style: Add cooked crumbled bacon to the layers and top with green onions.
- Tex-Mex Version: Swap the mushroom soup for cheddar soup, add a can of drained diced green chiles, and use taco seasoning on the beef.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storing Leftovers: Allow the casserole to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Best Reheating Method: Microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes. Alternatively, reheat in an oven-safe dish at 350°F covered with foil for 15-20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Freezing: You can freeze cooked leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Note that potatoes can sometimes change texture slightly upon freezing, becoming a bit softer.
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