Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole [+Video]

Casseroles make an easy dinner, and this cheesy ground beef and potato casserole is a creamy and comforting option that is perfect for busy days. With simple ingredients and crowd pleasing flavors, it delivers a hearty, satisfying one-pan meal the whole family will love!

We’ve had so many readers make our mega viral Busy Day Casserole with potatoes instead of rice that I had to try it myself. This version is loaded with creamy potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and plenty of melty cheese. We’re sharing two ways to make it: a quick version using cream of mushroom soup and a fully from scratch version where you make the sauce yourself.

If I had to pick between the rice and potato versions, the original rice recipe still wins by a tiny bit for me, probably because of nostalgia. But the potato version is pure comfort food and tastes a lot like a classic tinfoil dinner.

What Ingredients Go in Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole?

For the quick version of this ground beef casserole, you’ll only need seven simple ingredients. The homemade version calls for a few extra items to make the cream of mushroom soup from scratch, but everything is easy to find and it’s very budget-friendly! Here’s what you’ll need for both versions:

Quick Version

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates the quick, creamy base for the casserole.
• Russet Potatoes: Add hearty layers and bulk.
• Milk: Thins and smooths the sauce.
• Carrots: Add mild sweetness and texture.
• Ground Beef: Provides savory richness and protein.
• Onion: Adds flavor depth and aroma.
• Cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese: Melts into a creamy, cheesy topping.

From Scratch Version

For the Sauce

• Unsalted Butter: Forms the foundation of the homemade sauce.
• Onion: Builds savory flavor.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth.
• White Button Mushroom: Creates the signature cream-of-mushroom taste.
• Flour: Thickens the sauce.
• Cream: Makes the sauce rich and silky.
• Chicken Broth: Adds savory flavor and helps achieve the right consistency.
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor.
• Milk: Lightens and balances the sauce.

For the Casserole

• Ground Beef: The main protein for the casserole.
• Salt: Seasons the beef and vegetables.
• Garlic Powder: Adds simple savory flavor.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and depth.
• Carrots: Add color, flavor, and texture.
• Cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese: Melts into the casserole for creamy richness.
• Russet Potatoes: Form hearty layers throughout the dish.

The measurements of all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post. Keep scrolling to see all the details!

How to Make Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

Like I said earlier, you can do whichever version of the recipe you want. Obviously the from scratch version requires more ingredients, but when all is said and done, it probably only adds an extra 10 or 15 minutes to the recipe.

Quick Version

1. Prep: preheat the oven and spray the baking dish
2. Cook: brown the beef with the onions in a large skillet and drain any excess grease
3. Combine: stir all the ingredients (except cheese) together and pour into the prepared baking dish
4. Bake: cover the baking dish with foil and bake, add cheese at the end and bake until melted

From Scratch Version

1. Sauté: melt the butter in a skillet on the stove top and add the onions, garlic and mushrooms and cook until tender
2. Roux: add the flour and stir to make a roux and then add the cream and broth, stirring until thick and season to taste with salt and pepper
3. Cook: in a separate pan, brown the beef and onions and drain any excess grease
4. Prep: preheat the oven and spray a square baking dish
5. Combine: add all the ingredients (minus the cheese) into the casserole dish and stir to combine
6. Bake: cover the dish with foil and bake, add the cheese for the last few minutes and bake until melted
   • Optional: Sprinkle some fresh thyme or fresh topped parsley on top for an extra pop of flavor!

The complete instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Cooking the Ground Beef

Ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees, which is hard to check with a thermometer once it’s crumbled. Use a meat chopper to break it into evenly sized pieces so it cooks uniformly. Cook until no pink remains; a pound of ground beef typically takes 7–10 minutes on the stovetop.

If the ground beef isn’t fully cooked on the stove, don’t worry. It will finish cooking in the oven as the casserole bakes.

Substitutions and Variations for Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

If you don’t have cream of mushroom soup, you can use cream of chicken, celery, or potato instead. Cheese can be any kind your family enjoys. Cheddar and Colby Jack are classic, pepper jack adds heat, and Monterey Jack gives a mild Mexican-inspired flavor.

This casserole is very flexible. Swap the carrots for peas, broccoli, green beans, sweet corn, or any other vegetables your family likes, or add extra veggies for more color and flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions for Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

You can prep this casserole completely ahead of time and assemble it right before baking. Peel and dice the potatoes, then keep them in a pot of water to prevent browning. Brown the meat, make the sauce, and store everything separately in the fridge until you’re ready to combine and bake as directed. Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and reheat easily in the microwave. This casserole also freezes beautifully. Let it cool fully, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months.

What to Eat with Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

This hearty ground beef potato casserole can easily stand on its own for dinner, as it already includes protein and vegetables in one dish. If you want to add a little extra, consider serving it with sides like no-knead artisan bread, roasted garlic vegetables, harvest cobb salad, potato rolls, shredded Brussels sprouts salad, roasted veggies, or a fresh spinach berry salad.

Cheesy and easy ground beef and potato casserole needs to be added to your list of go-to family friendly casserole recipes for those busy weeknights! It will win over your picky eaters and the flavors are so comforting and satisfying!

More Easy Ground Beef Recipes:

• Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
• Ground Beef Enchilada Chili
• Taco Pinwheels
• Instant Pot Chili
• Shepherd’s Pie

Watch How to Make Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole