My Mom found the recipe in the paper. I love this dish at Longhorn’s and I was really excited to try it at home!”

 

Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole

This hearty casserole is the definition of comfort food, layering seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and a rich, homemade cheese sauce into a single, satisfying bake. Easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a family, it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any night of the week.

• ⏰ Prep Time: 25 minutes

• ⏰ Bake Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

• 🍽️ Servings: 6

🧂 INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups potatoes, thinly sliced (about 3-4 medium potatoes)

• 2 tablespoons butter, divided

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 cup milk

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon paprika

👩‍🍳 INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat and Cook Beef:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat and set aside.

2. Sauté Aromatics:

• In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.

3. Prepare the Cheese Sauce:

• In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.

• Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.

• Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

4. Assemble the Casserole:

• Arrange half of the thinly sliced potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and paprika.

• Top with half of the cooked beef and half of the onion-garlic mixture. Pour half of the cheese sauce evenly over the layers.

• Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, beef, onion mixture, and cheese sauce.

• For the top layer, arrange the final portion of potatoes and season lightly one more time.

5. Bake:

• Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.

• Remove the foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown.

6. Serve:

• Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set for cleaner slices.

• Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

💡 Pro-Tips & Variations:

• Perfect Potato Slices: For even cooking, use a mandoline slicer to get uniformly thin potato slices.

• Brown the Beef Well: Don't rush browning the beef; getting a little color on it adds great flavor to the whole dish.

• Add Vegetables: Feel free to add a layer of frozen peas, corn, or sliced mushrooms between the layers.

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.