Hamburger Potato Casserole (With Canned Soup)

This Hamburger Potato Casserole is the classic, cozy version made with canned soup for ultra-creamy, set-and-forget comfort. Seasoned ground beef, tender sliced potatoes, and a quick soup mixture bake together under a blanket of melty cheese—it’s weeknight-easy and family approved. The canned soup gives you a consistent, rich texture without making a roux, so prep stays fast and foolproof. Prefer a from-scratch version? Try our ground beef and potato casserole without soup for a creamy roux-based take. This recipe includes exact bake times, pan options, make-ahead tips, and how to reheat leftovers so they stay creamy (not dry). Serve with a simple salad or steamed veggies and dinner’s done.

Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Potato Casserole

If you’re a fan of classic meat-and-potato dinners, this hamburger potato casserole is about to become a new go-to. Like I mentioned above, it layers seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, and cream of mushroom soup, then tops it all off with melty cheddar cheese for a rich, creamy finish that’s loaded with flavor.

What makes this recipe stand out—besides the taste—is the simplicity. You only need 6 basic ingredients and a few minutes of prep to get it in the oven. There’s no complicated layering technique, no pre-cooking the potatoes—just a quick assembly, bake, and serve.

Ingredients

• 0.75 lb. Russet potatoes- Yukon gold potatoes, red potatoes, or sweet potatoes will also work.
• 1 lb. Ground beef- I like to use an 80/20 split for the best flavor.
• 10 oz. Can Cream of mushroom soup- for extra richness and creaminess. 
• ¾ Cup Milk- I like to use whole milk for the creamiest soup, but any milk will work great.
• Pinch of Salt and pepper- to enhance all the flavors.
• Shredded cheddar cheese- for that delicious cheesy topping to make this the ultimate cheesy hamburger potato casserole.

*Prefer a from-scratch version? Try our ground beef and potato casserole without soup.

How To Make Hamburger Potato Casserole

Step 1: Prep work

First things first, you'll want to begin by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C) and greasing a baking dish with cooking spray - or cooking oil.

Then, peel the potatoes and slice them thinly - you can either do this with a knife or with a mandolin slicer. Once all of your potatoes are sliced, submerge the sliced potatoes in cold water for about 20 minutes, then drain and rinse them well. Doing this gets all of the extra starch off of the potatoes and makes for a more creamy dish.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

While your potatoes are soaking, you can cook the ground beef. To do that, just add the ground beef to a large skillet set over medium heat, and cook it for a few minutes. Just keep in mind you'll want to break the beef apart until it's browned on all sides while you cook it. Also, while the ground beef is cooking, you'll want to season it with some salt and pepper. Then set it aside once cooked.

Step 3: Build The Casserole

Now, after your potatoes are rinsed, layer them on the bottom of the baking dish. You'll want to make sure that they are spread out enough to cover the dish but are slightly overlapping.

Then, mix the mushroom soup with the milk in a bowl and top the potatoes with half of the cooked ground beef, half of the mushroom soup and milk mix, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat the layering process until you're all out of ingredients, making sure to end with sprinkling the remaining cheese on top.

Step 4: Bake The Casserole

Now that the casserole is assembled you'll want to cover the casserole dish with tin foil and bake it for about 50 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Then, allow the casserole to cool for 10 minutes or so before slicing it and serving it warm. For more flavor, drizzle this Big Mac sauce on top.

Expert Tips 

• Use a mandoline for evenly sliced potatoes. Thin, uniform slices (about ⅛ inch thick) help the potatoes cook evenly and fully soften in the oven. A mandoline or sharp knife ensures consistency, which is key for the perfect tender texture in each bite.
• Don’t skip seasoning the beef. Even though the cream of mushroom soup adds flavor, you still want to season your ground beef generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or onion powder. Browning it beforehand adds depth and prevents the casserole from tasting flat.
• Drain excess fat from the beef. After browning the ground beef, drain off any extra grease to avoid an oily final dish. You'll especially need to drain 80/20 beef if you're using it. You want a creamy casserole—not a greasy one. 
• Use full-fat soup for best flavor and texture. Lower-fat cream of mushroom soups can result in a thinner, less rich sauce. Stick to the classic version for a more indulgent, cohesive casserole.
• Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. Shredding your own cheddar gives the top layer that ultra-gooey, golden finish.
• Cover with foil during baking. Tightly covering the dish for the first 30–40 minutes helps steam the potatoes and ensures they cook through. Remove the foil near the end to let the cheese brown and bubble.
• Let it rest before serving. Once out of the oven, let the casserole rest for at least 10 minutes. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier (and less messy!)
• Make it your own. You can easily mix things up by adding frozen peas, corn, or sautéed mushrooms to the beef layer, or using pepper jack for a spicier twist. Just keep the core formula simple to preserve the ease of this recipe.

Pan Size and Bake Times

*Doneness cues: Potatoes should be tender when pierced with a knife and the center should be bubbling.

If the top browns too fast, re-cover loosely with foil. Rest 10 minutes before slicing so it sets and stays creamy.

 

Notes:

• Times assume par-cooked beef and thinly sliced raw potatoes (⅛–¼ inch / 3–6 mm).
• If you pre-parboil the potatoes, reduce covered time by ~10 minutes.
• Keep the broil step short—watch constantly.

FAQs About This Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely. Assemble the casserole (layers of sliced potatoes, seasoned beef, and soup) up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit for 15 minutes at room temperature before cooking.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Let the casserole cool completely, then cover it or portion it into an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes or in the microwave until warm. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight for best results.

Can I replace the cream of mushroom soup?

Yes! For a creamy alternative, try cream of cheddar or cream of celery soup. These swaps offer a flavor twist while keeping the dish simple and quick to make.

What’s the difference between this with-soup version and a no-soup casserole?

This recipe uses canned soup to keep prep ultra-fast and the sauce consistently creamy with minimal steps. If you want a from-scratch, roux-based sauce with no canned soup, try our ground beef and potato casserole without soup.

What can I serve with this casserole?

This rich, cheesy casserole pairs well with a comforting side or lighter sides. Serve it with McDonald's french fries, air fryer garlic bread, or this house salad, or these Chinese green beans if you want something a little fresher on the side.

Can I swap the ground beef for another protein?

Yes. You can replace the beef with ground turkey, chicken, or sausage. Adjust the seasoning slightly to accommodate the different flavors—lean turkey may need a splash of oil and extra spices.

How can I make it spicy?

Add taco seasoning, diced jalapeños, or chopped green chilis to the beef. You can also stir in hot sauce or top with pepper jack cheese for a spicy variation.

More Casserole Recipes To Try

If you love making casserole recipes and are looking to make even more of them, you're in luck. We have a ton of them on the blog for you to try next! Here are some of our most popular casserole recipes:

• Pierogi casserole
• Reuben casserole
• Meatball casserole
• Buffalo chicken casserole
• Sausage potato casserole
• Cheeseburger tater tot casserole
• Chicken hashbrown casserole
• Pulled pork casserole

Oh, and as always, make sure to check us out on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube. We post new recipes on them every day.