This Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole only requires 15 minutes of prep, so you can toss it together, then kick your feet up while dinner bakes! This hearty casserole combines ground beef and frozen hashbrowns with a creamy sauce to make a satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy.
Easy Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
We love a ground beef casserole around these parts. Whether it’s a Mexican Cornbread Casserole, Walking Taco Casserole, or Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole, our family is always happy to see a bubbling, cheesy dish come out of the oven.
Of all our casserole recipe, this Ground Beef Hashbrown Casserole is one of the quickest and easiest to make. Frozen hashbrowns and beef combine with a creamy sauce and plenty of melty cheese for an ultra cozy and comforting dinner. It’s like a short-cut version of our popular Hamburger Potato Casserole!
Here’s Why You’ll Love It:
- Quick prep- Like we mentioned earlier, it’s just 15 minutes to get this in your oven!
- Made with pantry staples- It’s quite possible you already have all the ingredients you need to make this on hand.
- Make ahead friendly- This casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance, so it’s ready when you are.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground beef + Onions- We use this combo a lot as the base for casseroles and soups, like Hamburger Soup and No Bean Chili.
- Frozen hashbrowns- Grab a 30 oz bag of these for your freezer. We recommend thawing them overnight in the fridge the day before you make them.
- Cream of chicken soup + sour cream + milk- This trio provides a flavorful, creamy sauce, with just a hint of tang.
- Seasonings- Just a few spice rack staples: salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried parsley.
- Cheese- Is it a casserole if it doesn’t have cheese? We use cheddar most often, but you could also use shredded Mexican blend or add some spicy Pepper Jack for a kick.
How to Make Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
- Preheat and prep. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. We really like these pyrex casserole dishes.
- Saute. Add the ground beef and onion to a large skillet. Brown over medium heat until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Drain fat.
- Stir together. In the prepared pan, mix together ground beef and onions, hashbrowns, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, seasonings, and half the cheese. Spread evenly over the pan.
- Bake. Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 40 minutes. The top of the hashbrowns should be starting to brown.
- Add cheese. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, then return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. You’re ready to serve!
Make Ahead, Freezer, and Storage Tips
This casserole can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Mix everything together in the pan, cover with saran wrap, and refrigerate. Allow the casserole to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes while the oven preheats, then bake as usual.
To freeze, assemble the casserole, cover with saran wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 4 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 10 minutes to the cooking time, or thaw overnight before baking. I recommend using foil pans for freezer casseroles, as glass can be finicky with extreme temperature fluctuations.
How do you thaw frozen hashbrowns for casserole?
Thaw hashbrowns by placing them in the refrigerator overnight. If you forget (been there!) or are in a rush, use the defrost setting on the microwave for about 4-5 minutes. Drain off any excess liquid before using.
What goes with Ground Beef Hashbrown Casserole?
We recommend serving this dish with a garden salad, garlic green beans, or roasted carrots.
You can also mix peas or green beans right into the casserole to truly make this a one dish meal.
More Delicious Casserole Recipes
Try these other casseroles with ground beef!
Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ½ cup onion (diced)
- 1 30 oz package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
- 1 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray.
- Add the ground beef and onion to a large skillet. Brown over medium heat until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Drain fat.
- Add the cooked beef, hash browns, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, salt and pepper, garlic powder, parsley and 1 cup of the cheese to a large bowl or just mix it all up directly in the baking dish. Stir together until evenly combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the pan. Bake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes. Hashbrowns should be beginning to brown on the top.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese. Return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Serve immediately.