Cheesy Ground Beef Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
A hearty and comforting Cheesy Ground Beef Hash Brown Casserole that combines savory ground beef, tender hash browns, creamy soup, and sharp cheddar cheese, baked to perfection with a golden, bubbly top. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks, this casserole is easy to prepare and full of rich flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- 30 ounces frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (1 bag)
Miscellaneous
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 10.75 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup (1 can)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Brown the beef and onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and finely chopped yellow onion together. Break up the beef as it cooks to ensure even browning. Once cooked through, drain excess fat and any liquid from the skillet to keep the casserole from being greasy.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, salt, ground pepper, condensed cream of chicken soup, and sour cream. Mix well to create a creamy base. Then add the frozen shredded hash browns and the cooked ground beef and onions. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, mixing thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch or similarly sized large baking dish to prevent sticking. Transfer the beef and hash brown mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it out evenly for uniform cooking. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 45 minutes until heated through and bubbly. For a crispier, browned top, optionally switch the oven setting to broil and cook for an additional 5 to 8 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease in the casserole.
- If you prefer, substitute cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom for a different flavor.
- Make sure to drain any fat from the cooked beef to avoid a greasy casserole.
- You can add diced bell peppers or mushrooms for extra vegetables.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just extend baking time slightly if cooking from cold.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a more pronounced cheesy flavor; mild cheddar can be used for a subtler taste.
Keywords: Cheesy Ground Beef Hash Brown Casserole, ground beef casserole, hash brown casserole, cheesy casserole, baked hash browns, family dinner recipe
