Description
Hearty Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole delivers comfort food straight from midwestern kitchens. Layers of ground beef, potatoes, and creamy cheese create a satisfying meal home cooks will cherish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef
- 3 cups (420 grams) potatoes, thinly sliced (about 3 medium potatoes)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra for topping
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Coat crockpot interior with non-stick spray, creating a smooth surface for layering ingredients.
- Foundation Layer: Arrange thinly sliced potatoes across bottom of slow cooker, creating an even, uniform base.
- Aromatic Addition: Sprinkle finely chopped onions over potato layer, infusing initial depth of flavor.
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in skillet until fully cooked, eliminating moisture and draining excess fat, then season appropriately.
- Layering Strategy: Carefully position seasoned beef over onion-potato foundation, creating a substantial protein layer.
- Cheese Integration: Generously distribute shredded cheese, allowing it to melt and bind ingredients together.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk condensed cream of mushroom soup with milk, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance overall taste profile.
- Liquid Distribution: Pour creamy soup mixture evenly across layered ingredients, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Final Assembly: Repeat layering sequence – potatoes, onions, beef, cheese – concluding with a generous cheese topping.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover crockpot, set to low temperature, and allow casserole to simmer for 6-7 hours, melding flavors and tenderizing ingredients.
- Serving Preparation: Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes after cooking, allowing layers to stabilize and facilitating easy portioning.
- Plating: Serve warm casserole alongside fresh garden salad or steamed seasonal vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal.
Notes
Optimize Potato Slicing: Slice potatoes uniformly thin (1/4 inch) to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
Fat Reduction Technique: Drain ground beef thoroughly after browning to minimize excess grease and create a lighter, less oily dish.
Cheese Melting Hack: Use a blend of cheeses like sharp cheddar and mild mozzarella for enhanced flavor complexity and smoother melting.
Dietary Adaptation Options: Substitute ground beef with lean turkey or plant-based meat alternatives, use low-fat cream soup, and swap regular cheese for dairy-free versions to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg