Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Recipe: Easy Comfort Food Dinner

Introduction

When you need a filling, budget-friendly dinner that everyone will love, hamburger hash brown casserole is the answer. This hamburger hash brown casserole recipe has been feeding families since the 1960s and 1970s when busy parents needed quick, affordable meals. Making easy hamburger hash brown casserole requires just one pan and simple ingredients you probably have on hand.

What Makes Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole recipe Special?

This baked hamburger hash brown casserole represents practical family cooking that fed busy households economically. In the 1960s and 70s, working parents needed meals that were affordable, filling, and didn’t require hours in the kitchen.

Recipe Quick Stats

Ingredients You’ll Need

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 package (30 oz) frozen hash browns, thawed

Creamy Base:

• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of celery soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Seasonings:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Crunchy Topping:

• 1 cup crushed corn flakes
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

How to Make Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

This savory hamburger hash brown casserole comes together easily in simple steps!

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set it aside.

Step 2: Cook the Beef

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is soft, about 7-10 minutes. Drain off any excess fat and set the meat mixture aside.

Step 3: Mix the Casserole Base

In a large bowl, combine the thawed hash browns, cream of celery soup, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir everything together until well mixed. The mixture will be thick and creamy.

Step 4: Add the Beef

Add the cooked beef and onion mixture to the bowl with the hash brown mixture. Stir well to combine everything evenly. Make sure the beef is distributed throughout so every serving gets plenty of meat!

Step 5: Transfer to Baking Dish

Spread the mixture evenly in your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Press it down gently to create an even layer with no gaps or air pockets.

Step 6: Prepare the Topping

In a small bowl, mix the crushed corn flakes with the melted butter. Stir until all the corn flakes are coated with butter. This buttered topping will become golden and crispy in the oven.

Step 7: Add the Topping

Sprinkle the buttered corn flake mixture evenly over the top of the casserole, covering the entire surface.

Step 8: Bake

Place the casserole in your preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes. The casserole is done when it’s hot and bubbly around the edges and the corn flake topping is golden brown and crispy.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly, making it easier to scoop onto plates.

Pro Tips for the Best Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

1: Add 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables to the mixture before baking for extra nutrition and color. Peas, corn, and carrots work especially well!

2: Make sure to thaw your hash browns completely before mixing. Frozen hash browns will release too much water and make the casserole soggy.

3: For an extra cheesy version, add another layer of shredded cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of baking.

Cheesy Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

This cheesy hamburger hash brown casserole gets its wonderful richness from cheddar cheese mixed throughout and sour cream that adds tang and creaminess. For cheese lovers, you can increase the cheese to 2 cups or use a blend of cheddar and mozzarella. Some families like to add cream cheese for extra richness—just cut it into cubes and mix it in with the other ingredients.

Classic Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

This classic hamburger hash brown casserole uses the traditional ingredients that made this dish popular decades ago. The combination of ground beef, hash browns, cream soup, and a crunchy topping has remained unchanged because it’s already perfect. This old fashioned hamburger hash brown casserole is exactly how grandmothers made it in the 1970s, and it’s still just as delicious today.

Quick Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

Despite needing an hour total, this is actually a quick hamburger hash brown casserole because it requires minimal prep work. Everything mixes in one bowl, and while it bakes, you can prepare a side dish, help kids with homework, or just relax. The hands-on time is only about 20 minutes, making this perfect for busy weeknights.

Simple Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole for Beginners

This simple hamburger hash brown casserole for beginners requires no special cooking skills. If you can brown ground beef and stir ingredients in a bowl, you can make this recipe! There’s no complicated technique or timing—just mix, bake, and enjoy. This is an excellent recipe for new cooks or teenagers learning to prepare family meals.

Comfort Food Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

Few dishes embody comfort food quite like this comfort food hamburger hash brown casserole. The combination of savory beef, creamy potatoes, melted cheese, and crunchy topping creates multiple layers of satisfaction. It’s hearty, warming, and filling—exactly what comfort food should be. This is the kind of meal that makes everyone feel cared for and satisfied.

Hamburger Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

While typically served for dinner, this works wonderfully as a hamburger hash brown breakfast casserole! The hash browns make it appropriate for morning meals, and the protein from the beef and eggs (if you add them) provides lasting energy. For breakfast, you can add 4 beaten eggs to the mixture before baking and serve with toast or fruit.

Family-Friendly Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

This family-friendly hamburger hash brown casserole appeals to all ages. Kids love the familiar flavors of hamburger, potatoes, and cheese, while adults appreciate the convenience and affordability. It’s not fancy or gourmet, but it’s honest, filling food that brings families together around the dinner table. Plus, making one big casserole means less cleanup than preparing multiple dishes!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this savory hamburger hash brown casserole with simple sides:

• Green beans or peas
• A fresh garden salad
• Sliced tomatoes
• Corn on the cob
• Garlic bread or dinner rolls
• Steamed broccoli

Storage and Leftover Advice

Cover leftover casserole with aluminum foil or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat individual portions, microwave on high for 2-3 minutes until heated through. To reheat the entire casserole and restore the crispy topping, place it in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.

You can also freeze this casserole! Either freeze it before baking (thaw overnight and bake as directed, adding 10-15 minutes) or freeze leftovers after baking (thaw and reheat in the oven).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use fresh hash browns instead of frozen?

Yes, but frozen are more convenient—if using fresh, shred 4-5 large potatoes and squeeze out excess moisture.

2. What can I substitute for cream of celery soup?

Cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup work equally well—use whichever you prefer or have on hand.

3. Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the casserole (without the topping), cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours—add topping and bake when ready.

4. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even sausage work well in this recipe.

5. How do I know when it’s done?

The casserole should be hot and bubbly around the edges, and the topping should be golden brown—this takes 45-50 minutes.

A Note from Author

This hamburger hash brown casserole recipe represents a specific era in American cooking—the 1960s and 70s when convenience foods became widely available and working families needed quick, affordable meals. Frozen hash browns, canned soups, and ground beef were staples that made weeknight cooking manageable for busy parents.

While some might call these “simple” or “basic” recipes, they served an important purpose: feeding families well on tight budgets and busy schedules. At NostalgicEats.com, we honor these recipes because they represent real solutions for real families. Not every meal needs to be gourmet or complicated—sometimes the best food is the kind that brings everyone to the table without stress.

Conclusion

This easy hamburger hash brown casserole proves that homemade hamburger hash brown casserole is simple and satisfying. This cheesy hamburger hash brown casserole is a simple hamburger hash brown casserole for beginners that creates the best hamburger hash brown casserole for busy families.

Whether you need a quick hamburger hash brown casserole for dinner or want to try it as a hamburger hash brown breakfast casserole, this classic hamburger hash brown casserole delivers. This comfort food hamburger hash brown casserole is a baked hamburger hash brown casserole that’s family-friendly hamburger hash brown casserole perfection. Try this old fashioned hamburger hash brown casserole for savory hamburger hash brown casserole comfort!

Ready for one-pan comfort? Make this hamburger hash brown casserole recipe tonight and enjoy an easy dinner that feeds the whole family! Visit NostalgicEats.com for more classic recipes!