Description

This Hamburger Potato Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Made without canned soup, it features a flavorful combination of lean ground beef, sautéed mushrooms and onions, fresh thyme, tender russet potatoes, and a creamy homemade sauce. Topped with melted Colby Jack cheese, this casserole bakes to golden perfection, delivering rich taste and satisfying texture in every bite.

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

1 pound ground beef (90% lean)
1/2 cup onion, diced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
3 medium russet potatoes, about 4 cups chopped

Sauce

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup sour cream

Cheese

2 cups Colby Jack cheese, divided

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400ºF and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Cook Ground Beef and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef for about 2 minutes until it begins to color. Add diced onions, sliced mushrooms, and fresh thyme. Continue cooking and stirring for about 8 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and mushrooms are browned. Drain any excess grease and transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl.
Make Creamy Sauce: Using the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, followed slowly by the milk, cooking until the sauce slightly thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine Ingredients and Assemble: Add the chopped potatoes to the bowl with the cooked beef mixture. Pour the creamy sauce over and stir well to combine. Mix in 1 cup of the Colby Jack cheese. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake: Bake covered for 60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender but not mushy.
Finish Baking with Cheese: Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top. Return to the oven uncovered for an additional 3 minutes to melt the cheese.
Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven to set before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade hamburger potato casserole!

Notes

Use 90% lean ground beef for a nice balance of flavor and less grease.
To save time, peel and chop potatoes in advance and soak in water to prevent browning.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook it a bit longer before adding sour cream.
This casserole can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated covered in the oven.
Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier, healthier option.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American