How To Make Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole (Family Favorite)

Looking for an easy and delicious meal that the whole family will love? This hamburger hashbrown casserole recipe is sure to be a hit.

Why I Love this Recipe

It’s simple. My kids request this recipe for dinner all the time. It’s easy to prepare, and I always keep a bag of frozen hashbrowns in the freezer.

Easy Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

I’m always looking for an easy dinner for a busy weeknight. My kiddos are busy with a capital B, as I know many of your kids are too.

It’s nice to have a potato casserole ready to go in the refrigerator. Here’s my game plan. I prep the casserole on the weekend, or on a day when I’m less busy, then I wrap it tight without cooking it in the oven. On the night I want to eat it, I pull it out and toss it in the oven. If it’s going straight to the oven, it might take a few extra minutes of cook time. Sometimes, I pull it out, and let it come to room temperature on the counter first.

It’s delicious comfort food made easy.

Ingredients for Family Favorite Casserole

This recipe belongs to my sister Beth. My kiddos ate dinner at her house the other day, and they came home raving about Aunt B’s hash brown casserole recipe. So I immediately agreed to get her recipe and make it for the kids soon.

• Lean Ground Beef
• Frozen Hashbrowns Potatoes, thawed
• Cream Soup (cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup or cream of mushroom soup)
• Melted Butter
• Sour Cream
• Shredded Cheese

When I think of this recipe, it takes me back to college when it was an easy recipe for poor college kids because it had just a handful of ingredients, and it makes a huge pan that can be eaten all week long.

How to make hamburger hashbrown casserole?

Step by Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 13 x 9 inch baking dish by spraying with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet, brown hamburger; drain excess grease, if needed.
3. Meanwhile, melt butter.
4. In a large bowl, stir together cream soup, shredded cheese and sour cream. Stir in thawed hashbrowns and melted butter.
5. Pour the hash brown mixture into the prepared pan.
6. Bake for 1 hour or until bubbling and hot. If desired, sprinkle top with more shredded cheese. Turn off oven, and allow to sit in it until the cheese is melty.
7. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool completely. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, or transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to a week.

Recipe FAQs

• Be sure to allow the hash browns to thaw first. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, or use the defrost setting on the microwave.
• 1/2 cup of butter is equivalent to 1 stick.
• I like to season up my ground beef with salt and black pepper as it browns. Feel free to add some chopped onion too.
• Be sure to use an extra large bowl to make mixing easy.
• If you let the casserole sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving, it will help it set up and hold together better.

Recipe Variations for Ground Beef Hash Brown Casserole

• Use ground pork sausage, ground chicken or ground turkey instead of ground beef.
• Any type of cream soup will work based on your preference.
• Switch up the types of cheeses including pepper jack, swiss cheese, sharp cheddar, etc.
• Instead of shredded cheese, use a can of cheddar cheese soup.
• Use as much cheese as your heart desires.
• Add some spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder or paprika for more flavor.
• Substitute margarine for butter, if needed.
• Add diced onions to the hashbrown hamburger casserole, if desired.

Should I thaw hash browns for casserole?

Yes, it’s a good idea to thaw the hash browns before using them in any casserole. Thawing will ensure even cooking and a better texture in the final dish. It will also reduce the overall cooking time. Looking for a breakfast casserole with shredded hash browns? Try Farmwife Cooks’ Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole.

Why is my hash brown casserole soggy?

One reason that your hash brown casserole might be soggy because the hash browns were not thawed completely before using them. Thawing them properly will ensure the excess moisture is removed, resulting in a less soggy casserole.

Can you prepare hashbrown casserole ahead of time?

Yes, hashbrown casserole is the perfect recipe to prep ahead of time. Prepare it as directed in the recipe, cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Another good option is to freeze it for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the freezer before baking.

Potato Dinner Casseroles

Pork Chop Hash brown Casserole

Creamy Sausage Potato Casserole

Mom’s Cheesy Ham and Potatoes

Oven Pork Steak and Potatoes

Kitchen Tools

• 9 x 13 Casserole Dish
• Large Skillet
• Ground Beef Meat Chopper
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Spoonula
• Can Opener
• Nonstick Cooking Spray
• Cream of Chicken Soup