This Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe is simply amazing! This potato and ground beef casserole is the ultimate comfort food and so simple you probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry for a cozy, satisfying dinner.
My entire family loves this easy Crock Pot Hamburger Potato Casserole. I love that it has simple ingredients that we always have on hand. The combination of ground beef, potatoes and cheese make the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights.
Tried this recipe for the first time tonight (9/26)—it’s AMAZING! Well done, Carrie!
-Jonelle J
This hearty meal comes together quickly and my kids devour it when I make it. I love making casseroles. With my big family it has made dinner time so much easier. They are great because you can toss everything in the crock pot or a casserole dish and dinner is done.
We love slow cooker recipes and this one is no exception. Since it is so easy to make, I think we have it at least twice a month because even my picky eaters cleans their plate. If you want to try a skillet recipe that is similar, try Hamburger Hash Recipe. You may even like this Cheeseburger Tator Tot Casserole, 15 Cozy Fall Favorite Recipes or Hamburger Rice Casserole.
Ingredients
- Russet Potatoes – Make to slice about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Ground Beef – Use lean ground beef
- Cream of Mushroom Soup – Substitute with Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
- Milk – We used whole milk but you can use what you prefer
- Salt and Pepper – Feel free to add in ½ teaspoon of garlic powder for even more flavor
- Shredded Cheese – we used cheddar cheese but any kind would be great too
How to Make a Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole
Step 1 – First brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat and set it aside. Make sure to drain excess grease
Step 2 – Then peel and slice potatoes and also set the, aside. We use a mandoline slicer to cut our potatoes quickly.
Step 3 – Then in a mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
Step 4 – Layer potatoes, beef, soup, and cheese in the crock pot. Then repeat until all the ingredients are layered in. Top with remaining cheese.
Step 5 – Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or until the potatoes are soft.
Step 6 – Then turn off the crock pot and allow it to cool slightly (about 10 minutes). This will allow the casserole to thicken. Cut and serve with your favorite vegetable topped with sour cream and green onions.
Crock Pot Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 5 small potatoes
- 2 lbs ground beef (browned)
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup milk
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
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Instructions
- Brown 2 lbs ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess grease and set aside.
- Peel and slice 5 small potatoes into thin slices. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup milk, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and set aside.
- Spray the crock pot with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add a layer using half of the sliced potatoes, half of the cooked ground beef, one-half of the soup mixture, and ¾ cup shredded cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, remaining ground beef, remaining soup mixture, and another ¾ cup shredded cheese.
- Place the lid on the crock pot.
- Cook on high for 3–4 hours or until the potatoes are soft.
- Turn off the crock pot and let the casserole sit for about 10 minutes to thicken.
- Then it's ready to serve!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is classic and then you can easy switch it up to make it your own. It tastes similar to potatoes au gratin with beef mixed in! Here are a few ideas to change up this recipe to make it work for your family.
- Change Meat – Try using ground chicken or ground turkey. Sometimes these are more affordable than ground beef and still taste great in this recipe.
- Use Ground Sausage – This casserole would great with ground sausage. You can mix spicy and mild sausage. You may even like this Crockpot Sausage and Potatoes Recipe.
- Change Potatoes – Substitute the potatoes for frozen hash browns. I use the shredded hash browns and still layer this with the other ingredients. If using shredded hash browns, I would reduce the cooking time by one hours. You can also use yellow gold potatoes.
- Fresh Vegetables – Add in your favorite vegetables to make it a one pot meal! Green beans, bell peppers, shredded carrots, diced onion or peas would be delicious mixed in with this casserole recipe.
- Bacon – We love adding in some crispy bacon. My family loves bacon, so mixing it into this casserole takes it to the next level.
What to Serve with Crockpot Hamburger Casserole
This hamburger potato casserole is easy to make and tastes great. It is perfect for summer because you don’t have to turn the oven on, but I know we will love it in the winter too.
We always like serving this casserole with a side. Here are some of my favorites:
- Serve it with a side salad
- Steamed broccoli (see how to steam broccoli in the microwave easily) and dinner is that easy!
- Roasted Green Beans is always a family favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is probably the question I get asked all the time. The short is answer is yes and sometimes! I use ground beef in the crock pot all the time. It’s in some of my favorite crock pot recipes.
For this recipe, I do pre-brown the ground beef as breaking it up would destroy the potatoes in this casserole recipe. However, there are many recipes that I don’t pre-brown.
My most popular one is this crock pot taco meat. All the ingredients are throw in raw and pre-browning of the meat is not needed. However, it is best to remember that when you are not pre-browning ground beef, you’ll want to use a lean cut of beef so that there is not a lot of grease in the crock pot.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Yes! Cool the casserole completely then store in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to reheat in the oven or in the microwave.
More Crock Pot Hamburger Recipes
We love hearing from you! If you make this Crock Pot Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe, please leave us a comment.
I followed the recipe, dish was delicious but awfully soupy. I did 2 small cans cream of mushroom soup and 1 cup of milk. I should cut back on something. Tastes great though!!
I’m glad you enjoyed the taste Andy!
Here are a few options to make it less soupy next time.
1. Reduce the milk by 1/2 a cup instead of the full cup.
2 Let the casserole sit a bit longer with the lid off for it to thicken and the potatoes to soak up some of the excess moisture.
I hope you try either of these out and come back and let me know how it turns out!
I like that you get quickly to the recipe and not a lot of extra nonsense, I’m always in a hurry and I love how simple and straightforward your videos are. Soothing voice and clear instructions..Thank you so much.
Thank you so much Daphne! I’m so glad you’re hear and that you enjoyed this recipe!
Went ahead and made this with deer burger—it came out BRILLIANTLY!
Can I use deer burger in this recipe? I don’t have ground beef right now.
With this recipe can you use cream of chicken soup instead. Thank you ?
Yes, you can swap with cream of chicken soup. The flavor will be a little different but still delicious.
It was alright but had to add garlic! Way to much liquid and runny even after sitting!
Oh no! I hate that. Next time remove the lid after it has been cooking for a while.
?????This is one of my husband’s favorites. I did add garlic & onions. But this is 2nd time making it. This time I made alot more of it. And it’s so quick & easy for a crockpot meal. I jus wonder if Worcestershire sauce would taste good in it as well. I’m dying to try that but afraid it won’t be good but I think it might… Lol. But anyway this is great tasting! Definitely gonna keep making it. U should give it a try for sure. U won’t be disappointed. ?????
Misty – I’m so happy to hear that it turned out great. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. It really means a lot!
Do I stir it once in the crock pot?
Dave – The ingredients need to be layered in the crockpot and not stirred. Hope this helps.
I make a recipe that’s very similar to this with a few additions. I begin by first covering the bottom of the casserole dish with onions. As they cook down, they add tremendous flavor to the dish. In addition, I also add garlic and thyme.
Dale – The onions sound delicious. Thanks for sharing!
How thick you cut the potatoes on the mandolin
Tried this recipe for the first time tonight (9/26)—it’s AMAZING! Well done, Carrie!
Thank you so much Jonelle! I appreciate you sharing and thank you so much for the positive review! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Do you have an instant pot version for this recipe?
After cooking does it freeze and reheat well?
Yes, it does. I recommend freezing it in an aluminum foil pack and baking it when reheating it so that the potatoes do not get too soft.
Whar would substitute cream soups? In my country it is not easily available. Perhaps beshamel souce?
Marta, I have a recipe for homemade cream of mushroom soup that can be used instead of the canned option. Also, I haven’t tested it with beshamel sauce but after some research, I think it would be delicious in this recipe!
Can I cut this recipe in half? It’s only for my husband and myself 🙂
Rita, yes, you can cut the recipe in half. It will cook quicker since there is not as much ingredients in the crock pot. I would check it after 2.5 hours on high and then continue to cook until the potatoes are tender. I hope you enjoy it!
This was so delicious and very easy to prep!! The only note I wanted to share, for anyone else wanting to make this using their Instant Pot in “slow cook” mode — I did 4 hours on the “normal” setting with the valve unsealed. Sadly the potatoes were still pretty hard when my timer went off, but I quickly did a sealed vent pressure cook for 5 minutes and it did the trick! Definitely will adjust the way I cook this next time since I only have an instant pot, but it was SO good and definitely worth remaking!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it – Thank you for the positive review!
What’s the cheese shredder brand?
Here’s the link to the cheese shredded I use for this recipe.
Can’t have mushroom soup can I substitute with another cream of soup
Yes, cream of chicken or cream of celery soup will work great in this recipe as well.
Dumb question
Can leftovers be frozen if so how long will they last usually
Reheating/thawing
Also how long does it typically last if stored in the fridge
Thank you
Leftovers should last about 5 days refrigerated in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for up to 3-6 months. I recommend freezing it in a aluminum baking pan. Make sure to defrost it all fully before reheating and reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
Do you think some cut up carrots would be good in this? Or just make them as a side. Thank you!
I think I would serve the carrots on the side since that potatoes are layered in this recipe.
Can I just use the soup without the milk Carrie ? Got everything but milk .
You will need something to thin out the soup mixture, so if you don’t have milk, I recommend using beef broth or water instead.
I made it but didn’t have any potatoes so I used a box of au gratin potatoes and added a small bag of frozen peas. Sooo good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing!
Re: Hamburger Potato Casserole. I don’t see any directions for adding the soup mix in here. It is just set aside and then not mentioned again in the instructions. Do you add it 1/2 on top of first layer, then rest on top?
In step 5 it explains when to add in the soup mixture “Layer in the crock pot the potatoes, beef, soup mixture, and cheese. Then repeat. Top with remaining cheese.”
Can you cook it on low for 8hrs? I want to have it for supper after work.
Yes You can cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Hi Carrie – I’m Jan. I have looked at several of your recipes, they all look great. I wish you would include the size of your crock pots that you use. I am a crock pot nut and have about 10 of them. Thanks
Yes I can start doing that. Normally I use a 6 quart crock pot.
Very tasty recioes
Love this recipe! The only thing I add are seasonings. I add Onion, Seasoned Salt,
Garlic & Pepper. Don’t have measurements as I just season to taste. Also, the seasonings I use are dried or granulated & it’s amazing!
But you could use fresh if you’d rather. This Casserole is a favorite at my house!!
Super easy to make & assemble in my slow cooker.
I cooked my ground beef on the rare side with Webers Gourmet burger seasoning. I used diced frozen hash browns to save time . Took it to church for our monthly lunch feast and none was leftover!
I will be making this again but will definitely use fresh thinly sliced potatoes next time as I’m sure it’s even better.
This recipe saved the day. I had relatives traveling through on a tight budget and I wanted to send them on with a good meal in their stomachs. I remembered reading this recipe and decided to try and fix it. I only had a pound of hamburger thawed so I added some green beans to the browned beef. I also didn’t have potatoes but had shredded hash brown potatoes. Only had golden mushroom soup so I used beef broth instead of milk. Shredded a block of sharp cheddar cheese. Had just baked a loaf of sourdough bread and with this delicious recipe was able to serve a good meal. I’m anxious to try other soups and vegetables and sausage. Can’t thank you enough for such a great recipe.
One of our favorites. 2nd batch I had to spice it up with Chipotle seasoning and pepper jack cheese.
Absolutely delicious!!
Looks good
What thickness do you cut you potatoes on a mandolin?
Thank you
I do not know the exact thickness. This recipe is very forgiving. I like my potatoes extra soft in a casserole, so I would go on the thinner side.
After 4 hours I still have soup using your hamburger potato caserole receipe Any ideas ???
I would take off the lid to help evaporate the extra moisture.
How many cups are in a serving
Can any other cream of soup work
Yes you can use cream of chicken or cream of celery or cream of cheddar.
the hamburger and potato looks great, will try. thank you.
Can’t wait to try this
I make my grandmother’s recipe and I add one or two cans of Campbell’s condensed vegetable beef soup, half of the can of mushroom soup and about half a cup of milk to the browned hamburger in a skillet to warm it. I then layer sliced potatoes and meat mixture three times. I pour milk into the half can of cream of mushroom soup and stir very well, until completely mixed, then pour all over the top. I cook in oven or my casserole slow cooker until potatoes are soft, about 1.5 hours in oven or 3-4 on high in slow cooker. You can always add leftover or frozen veggies like green beans, corn, peas or carrots, plus onions when browning the hamburger. It’s a healthy recipe everyone loves, even my picky hubby!!
I’m trying this for tonight. Question: if adding frozen veggies, do you add them in the layers at the beginning or add them later in the cooking time? Thanks!
Love it and so do my 3 kids. Extremely easy and very tasty. Thanks Carrie for your site and wonderful tips. I use your site often
So the only difference between a regular crock pot and a casserole crock pot is the shape?
Yes, that’s correct.
I am going to try it, but with part, hot sausage and a can of green chilies.sounds good to me. Thanks for the recipe.
Oh that sounds amazing! I hope you enjoy it!
Im going to add zucchini
That sounds delicious!
I have this in the crock right now, with cream of chicken as that’s all that was in the pantry. Also used cojack, as that was also what was on hand. (Time to go shopping!). Can’t wait till super!!!!
love love love this meat and potatoes recipe…easy and so delicious.
This is a great recipe!! I make this at least once a month for my husband!! He loves it so much!!!
I did cream of bacon and it was delightful!
I love that idea!
Could you make this a freezer meal? If so, what procedures?
Yes, you definitely can. I would freeze it in a 9X13 foil pan once it’s assembled (not cooked) and then defrost it in the refrigerator overnight when you are ready to cook it. Thanks.
Can you tell me what a serving size is? I know that it is 10 servings but I need a measurement (1/2 cup, 1 cup, etc), if you can provide it. Thank you.
It’s hard to provide an exact serving size as each time you make it, it’ll be slightly different. I usually just divide it into 10 pieces. Thank you.
Can you recommend a substitute for cream of mushroom soup?
Your recipes have been my saving grace since having twins and now in quarantine with a picky husband! Trying this dish tonight… would cream of celery and gravy be overkill in place of cream of mushroom? Thanks!
Can u add any other veggies ?
Yes, I think it would be good with a bag of frozen mixed vegetables or green beans. Yum!
Can I cook it in a regular crockpot
Yes, this can be layered and cooked in a regular crock pot as well. Thank you.
Is see the response to be able to cook this recipe on low for 6 – 7 hours versus on high for 3 – 4, but would I need to add more liquid?
Penny – No you would not need to add more liquid if cooking it on low. Thank you!
What size cans of mushroom soup are you supposed to use?
I use 10 oz cans. Thank you.
Can you use brown gravy instead of the mushrooms. I don’t like mushrooms at all.
Yes, that would work great.
Want to make but I’m gonna add
a little sour cream
Thanks – let us know how it turns out!
can you make it in a instapot ?
I haven’t tried it but I think it would work. I would put one cup of water in the bottom and then layer the rest of the ingredients per the recipe and cook on high pressure for 12-15 minutes with a quick release. Thank you!
If I use the oven, how long should I cook it for on 350?
I would cook it for 30-40 minutes in the oven until the potatoes are done. Thank you!
Yeah, is cream of chicken ok to use? Hubs don’t like mushroom soup & I don’t like celery.
Yes, I think that would work great too. Thanks!
Can you cook on low, and if so for how long?
I would cook on low for 6-7 hours until the potatoes are soft. Thank you!
Use cream of celery instead if you don’t like mushrooms.
Can I use cream of chicken instead