Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

If you’re craving cozy comfort food, this ground beef and potato casserole is about to become a new favorite. It’s hearty, cheesy, and made completely without canned soup—just real ingredients and bold flavor in every bite. Tender diced potatoes are layered with seasoned ground beef, sautéed onions, and mushrooms, then smothered in a creamy homemade sauce and baked with melty cheese on top. Whether you call it a hamburger potato casserole without soup or just weeknight perfection, this recipe delivers every time.

Why I Love This Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

If your idea of the perfect dinner involves meat, potatoes, and melty cheese, this ground beef and potato casserole is going to be a hit. It’s packed with juicy, flavorful ground beef and tender, perfectly cooked potatoes—all smothered in a rich, creamy sauce and topped with a layer of golden, bubbly cheese. No soup needed!

And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make. There are no complicated steps or fancy cooking techniques, which makes it a go-to recipe in my house—especially on busy weeknights. Honestly, it’s so simple that my four-year-old helps me prep it!

Oh, and if you’re wondering what to serve on the side, I highly recommend a batch of Texas Roadhouse rolls. They’re perfect for soaking up every bit of that creamy, cheesy goodness.

Ingredients

Another thing I love about this ground beef and potato casserole recipe is that it's made with basic, everyday ingredients.

In fact, I usually have all of them at my house at any given time.

Anyway, here's what you'll need to make it:

• 1 lb. (500g) lean ground beef
• 1 sweet onion, diced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cups Russet potatoes, diced and peeled
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 ½ cup beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• Parsley to serve

Not too shabby, eh?!

By the way, if end up with some extra ground beef after making this recipe you can put it to good use and make one of these recipes with it next:

• Mexican casserole
• Ground beef baked beans
• Beef & vegetable soup
• Ground beef nachos
• My grandma's lasagna

How To Make Ground Beef and Potato Casserole (Step-By-Step)

Step 1: Prep the Oven & Dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180ºC) and lightly grease a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef & Veggies

Heat a non-stick skillet on medium-high heat and brown the beef. Once the beef is nicely browned on all sides, add the diced onions and mushrooms and cook for a few more minutes until the onions are translucent. Add the potatoes and Worcestershire sauce and mix well to combine everything together.

Step 3: Make the Cream Sauce

Add the butter and flour to a separate large skillet. Cook for a couple of minutes until it has the consistency of a thick paste and a film has formed in the bottom of the skillet. Then add the milk and broth and cook for a couple of minutes until it thickens. Add the sour cream to the soup mixture and mix well.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

Transfer the ground beef mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top it with all of the cream sauce and finish it off with the shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 5: Bake & Serve

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake it for about 1 hour. Serve the casserole warm with fresh parsley on top, and enjoy!

Pro Tips For The Best Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

• Break up the ground beef for better browning:
  Use a wooden spoon or meat chopper to break the beef into small, even pieces as it cooks. This allows more surface area to brown, which adds deeper flavor to the casserole and helps the meat cook more evenly.
• Swap in soup for a richer base:
  Instead of beef broth, try using cream of mushroom, cream of cheddar, or even cream of onion soup to create a thicker, more decadent sauce. These swaps add extra richness and depth to the casserole without needing to make a roux or cheese sauce from scratch.
• Use cream cheese for a velvety finish:
  Replacing sour cream with softened cream cheese makes the casserole creamier and gives it a slightly tangy richness. If you're looking for something indulgent and ultra-smooth, this is the move.
• Stick with russet potatoes for structure:
  Russet potatoes are starchy and hold up well during baking, which means they stay tender without turning mushy. Waxy potatoes like red or Yukon Golds will work, but they’ll give you a softer, more delicate texture.
• Season the beef as it cooks—don’t wait:
  Ground beef is your flavor foundation. Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, or even a pinch of cumin while browning. For added flavor and color, toss in diced bell peppers, jalapeños, or even sautéed mushrooms during this step.
• Want heat? Add it early:
  Stir in a few dashes of hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, or diced green chiles as the beef cooks. This lets the heat blend into the dish rather than just sitting on top after baking.
• Don’t skip the resting time.
  After baking, let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This helps the sauce thicken, the flavors settle, and makes slicing and serving much easier.

Recipe Variations

• Cheeseburger-Style – Swap the sour cream for mayonnaise and use cheddar cheese. Add chopped pickles and a drizzle of ketchup or burger sauce after baking for a fun twist on a classic cheeseburger.
• Tex-Mex Style – Add taco seasoning, drained black beans, and frozen corn to the cooked ground beef. Top with shredded pepper jack cheese and serve with salsa or a dollop of sour cream.
• Loaded Baked Potato – Stir in cooked bacon, green onions, and use cream cheese instead of sour cream for extra richness. Top with sharp cheddar and more bacon bits before baking.
• Mushroom & Swiss Version – Add sautéed mushrooms to the ground beef while cooking and swap the cheddar for Swiss cheese for a savory, earthy flavor combo.
• Spicy Kick – Stir in diced jalapeños, chipotle powder, or a splash of hot sauce into the beef mixture before layering. Top with a spicy cheese blend or pepper jack.
• Low-Carb Option – Substitute the potatoes with cauliflower florets or turnips for a lighter, keto-friendly version. You may need to reduce the bake time slightly since cauliflower cooks faster.

FAQs About This Ground Beef Potato Casserole Recipe

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! This ground beef and potato casserole is a great make-ahead meal. You can fully assemble it—cooked beef, layered potatoes, sauce, and cheese—and store it unbaked in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook, simply remove it from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, and then bake as directed.

How do I store leftovers?

Let the casserole cool completely, then cover the dish tightly or transfer portions to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions or the entire casserole (wrapped well) for up to 3 months.

How should I reheat this casserole?

To reheat, cover and warm leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals until hot. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first for best texture.

Can I use a different type of meat?

Absolutely. You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or sausage for the ground beef. Just make sure to adjust the seasoning as leaner meats may need a little extra flavor.

Do I need to cook the potatoes first?

No, the potatoes cook right in the casserole as it bakes. Just make sure to dice them into small, even pieces so they soften fully and cook at the same rate as the beef and sauce.

Can I freeze this casserole before baking?

Yes, but with a small adjustment: assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish, skip the cheese topping, and wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge, add the cheese, and bake as directed.

More Casserole Recipes

If you love casseroles like I do you've come to the right place. Here are some of my favorites:

• Taco potato casserole
• French fry casserole
• Ham and noodle casserole
• Chicken and potato casserole
• Sausage and rice casserole