A Hearty, Cheesy Classic That Feeds the Whole Family

If you’re looking for a satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food that brings everyone to the table — and keeps them coming back for seconds — this Hamburger Potato Cheese Casserole is it. It’s a one-dish wonder made from humble ingredients: layers of thinly sliced potatoes, seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar cheese, and a velvety sauce made from condensed cheddar soup and evaporated milk. The result is a creamy, savory casserole that’s as nostalgic as it is filling.

Whether you’re feeding a large family, prepping meals for the week, or hosting a casual gathering, this casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s everything you love about comfort food — rich, cheesy, meaty, and deeply satisfying — all baked into a single dish.

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Casserole

Feeds a crowd – Great for large families or potlucks.
Hearty and satisfying – Packed with protein, starch, and plenty of cheese.
Make-ahead friendly – Assembles easily and bakes beautifully later.
Customizable – Switch up cheeses, add veggies, or use different meats.
Classic flavors – Think cheeseburger meets scalloped potatoes.

🛒 Ingredient Breakdown

Let’s take a closer look at what makes this casserole so rich and comforting:

🥩 The Meat Mixture

1 pound ground beef
Lean ground beef works best to reduce excess grease. Feel free to use ground turkey or ground pork for a variation.
1 onion, finely diced
Adds sweetness and aromatic depth to the meat layer.

🥔 The Potato Layer

4 pounds potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
Use starchy potatoes like Russets for a creamy interior. Slicing them thin (less than ¼ inch) ensures even baking.
Salt and pepper
Essential for seasoning each layer as you go.

🧀 The Cheese

8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
Choose sharp cheddar for maximum flavor, or mix in mozzarella for a gooey melt.

🥣 The Creamy Sauce

1 (10.75 oz) can condensed Cheddar Cheese soup
Acts as the base for a rich, creamy sauce.
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk + ½ cup milk
Evaporated milk gives it richness without being too heavy. The additional milk loosens the consistency.
½ teaspoon salt + ¼ teaspoon pepper
Enhances the overall flavor.

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to layer, bake, and serve this comforting casserole to perfection.

Step 1: Prep the Dish and Oven

Spray a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray and preheat oven to 350°F.

Use a deep baking dish to hold the multiple layers. Grease thoroughly to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook the Beef and Onion

Add ground beef and onion to a large skillet, season with salt and pepper then cook until ground beef is cooked through and crumbled. Drain fat then set aside.

You want the meat crumbled and browned for best texture. Draining the fat prevents the casserole from becoming greasy.

Step 3: Slice the Potatoes Thinly

Cut potatoes into thin slices (less than ¼ inch).

A mandoline slicer makes this step quick and ensures uniform slices that cook evenly.

Tip: Keep potato slices in cold water to prevent browning if prepping ahead. Drain and pat dry before layering.

Step 4: Layer the Casserole

You’ll create 4 sets of layers, in this order:

Thin layer of potato slices — lightly season with salt & pepper
¼ of the cooked beef and onion mixture
¼ of the shredded cheese

Repeat this process three more times, ending with cheese on top.

Pro Tip: Use your hands to gently press each layer down for a tight, even casserole.

Step 5: Make the Sauce

Combine condensed cheddar soup, evaporated milk, milk, salt, and pepper then whisk until smooth.

This creates a velvety sauce that seeps through the layers as it bakes, keeping everything moist and cheesy.

Step 6: Pour the Sauce

Pour mixture over potato/beef/cheese layers.

Tilt the pan gently side to side to help the sauce distribute evenly across the casserole.

Step 7: Cover and Bake

Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil then bake at 350°F for one hour.

The foil traps steam, helping the potatoes soften and the layers meld together.

Step 8: Finish Baking

Remove foil then continue baking for an additional 15–20 minutes or until potatoes are tender and the dish is light golden brown and bubbly.

This final step gives the cheese a chance to brown and adds a nice crust to the top layer.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

This casserole is a full meal in itself, but pairs well with:

Green beans or a side salad for freshness
Dinner rolls or garlic toast for soaking up the sauce
Coleslaw for a creamy, crunchy contrast
Pickles or relish on the side for a cheeseburger-inspired twist

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Cool completely, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 20–25 minutes or microwave individual portions for 2–3 minutes.

🔁 Variations & Substitutions

Make it spicy: Add diced jalapeños or use pepper jack cheese.
Add veggies: Stir in corn, mushrooms, or spinach between layers.
Switch up cheese: Try Monterey Jack, Colby, or a cheddar blend.
Low-carb option: Swap thinly sliced zucchini for the potatoes.

💬 Reader Review

“This casserole is pure comfort food! My kids loved it, and it reheated beautifully for leftovers. The sauce was creamy and flavorful — definitely adding this to our rotation.”
— Trina R., home cook & busy mom