Description
This Cheesy Hash Brown and Hamburger Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish combining seasoned ground beef, crispy hash browns, creamy soups, and melted sharp cheddar cheese. Topped with crispy fried onions, it’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Easy to prepare and freezer-friendly, this casserole delivers rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb Ground Beef or any kind of ground meat you like
- 1 Yellow Onion, Diced
- 4-5 Garlic Cloves, minced
Main Ingredients
- 30 oz Bag of Frozen Shredded Hash Browns
- 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup (approx. 10.5 oz)
- 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup (approx. 10.5 oz) or two cans of any cream of soups you prefer
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 8 oz Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Toppings and Seasonings
- 1 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese (for topping)
- 1-2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1-2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1-2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1-2 cups French's Fried Onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef and Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion softens. Drain excess grease and set aside the cooked meat mixture.
- Mix Casserole Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine frozen shredded hash browns, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and 8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Season the mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Avoid adding salt now to prevent over-salting.
- Incorporate Meat: Add the cooked ground beef mixture into the bowl with the other ingredients and mix thoroughly to combine everything evenly.
- Transfer and Bake: Spread the entire mixture evenly into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Bake uncovered at 400°F for about 45 minutes to allow the casserole to set and start browning.
- Add Toppings: Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and the French’s crispy fried onions evenly over the top.
- Bake Until Golden: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and the fried onions turn golden brown and crispy.
- Season and Serve: Taste for seasoning and add salt if desired. Serve the casserole hot and enjoy this rich, cheesy dish.
Notes
- This casserole can be assembled up to 2 days in advance. Do not bake or add the extra cheese and crispy onions until ready to cook.
- For freezing, assemble the casserole without baking or adding the toppings. Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Thaw to room temperature before baking as directed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: twenty-five g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
