Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

This hearty Hamburger Hash Brown Bake delivers the ultimate comfort food experience with layers of seasoned ground beef, crispy hash browns, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners or weekend family gatherings, this one-dish wonder combines familiar flavors into a satisfying casserole that’s both filling and delicious. The creamy egg and sour cream mixture binds everything together while baking to golden perfection.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 (30-ounce) bag frozen hash browns
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent. Drain any excess fat.
3. Season the beef mixture with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Stir to combine.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the frozen hash browns, cooked beef mixture, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well.
5. In another bowl, whisk together the sour cream, eggs, and milk until smooth. Pour this mixture over the hash brown and beef mixture, stirring to combine.
6. Transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the casserole is set and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Variations

1. Mexican Style: Add 1 packet taco seasoning to the beef, swap cheddar for Mexican cheese blend, and top with diced jalapeños and cilantro for a south-of-the-border twist.
2. Loaded Supreme: Mix in 1/2 cup each of diced bell peppers and mushrooms with the beef, then top the finished casserole with dollops of sour cream and crispy fried onions.
3. Breakfast Style: Replace ground beef with breakfast sausage, add 1/4 cup diced bell peppers, and serve with fresh chives and hot sauce for a morning-inspired version.

Cooking Notes

1. Thaw Hash Browns: For even cooking and better texture, thaw frozen hash browns completely and squeeze out excess moisture with paper towels before mixing with other ingredients.
2. Beef Drainage: Thoroughly drain the cooked ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole – excess fat will make the dish soggy and affect the binding of ingredients.
3. Doneness Test: The casserole is ready when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges are lightly golden – the center should be set but not overcooked.

Serving Suggestions

1. Fresh Garden Salad: Pair with a crisp mixed greens salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette to balance the richness of the casserole and add fresh vegetables to the meal.
2. Steamed Vegetables: Serve alongside steamed broccoli, green beans, or roasted asparagus for added nutrition and color contrast on the plate.
3. Warm Dinner Rolls: Complete the comfort food experience with buttery dinner rolls or cornbread to soak up any delicious juices from the casserole.

Tips

1. Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate – just add 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.
2. Cheese Distribution: Reserve some cheese for the middle layer by adding half the remaining cheese halfway through the hash brown mixture for extra melty pockets throughout.
3. Leftover Magic: This casserole reheats beautifully – cover individual portions with a damp paper towel when microwaving to prevent drying out, or reheat covered in a 300°F oven.

Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

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• Author: Avery
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This hearty Hamburger Hash Brown Bake delivers the ultimate comfort food experience with layers of seasoned ground beef, crispy hash browns, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners or weekend family gatherings, this one-dish wonder combines familiar flavors into a satisfying casserole that’s both filling and delicious. The creamy egg and sour cream mixture binds everything together while baking to golden perfection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 (30-ounce) bag frozen hash browns
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent. Drain any excess fat.
• Season the beef mixture with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Stir to combine.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the frozen hash browns, cooked beef mixture, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well.
• In another bowl, whisk together the sour cream, eggs, and milk until smooth. Pour this mixture over the hash brown and beef mixture, stirring to combine.
• Transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the casserole is set and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, try adding diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture. You can assemble this casserole the night before and refrigerate, then bake the next day (add 10-15 minutes to cooking time if baking from cold). Leftovers reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 portion (1/6 of casserole)
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 680mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 26g
• Cholesterol: 185mg

Keywords: hamburger casserole, hash brown bake, comfort food, family dinner, one-dish meal, ground beef recipe