Slow Cooker Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole
This Slow Cooker Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole layers tender russet potatoes, savory ground beef, onions, garlic, creamy mushroom sauce, and sharp cheddar cheese. Slow-cooked until the potatoes are tender, then topped with extra melted cheese, this comforting family dinner is hearty, rich, and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Ground beef, 85% lean For a juicier dish
- 2 lbs Russet potatoes Peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 medium Yellow onion Finely diced
- 3 cloves Garlic Minced
- 2 cups Shredded sharp cheddar cheese Divided; reserve 1 cup for the topping
- 1 can Condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 0.5 cup Beef broth Low-sodium recommended
- 0.5 cup Sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil For sautéing
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 0.75 teaspoon Salt Divided; adjust to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley Chopped for garnish
- Nonstick cooking spray For coating the slow cooker
Instructions
- Lightly coat a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking for 7–9 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper to the skillet.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together condensed cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, sour cream, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt until smooth.
- Arrange one-third of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with one-third of the beef mixture, one-third of the creamy sauce, and ⅓ cup of shredded cheddar.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Sprinkle the reserved 1 cup of cheddar evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 10–15 minutes.
- Once melted, turn off the slow cooker and let the casserole rest uncovered for 10 minutes.
Notes
Use a 6-quart slow cooker and slice the potatoes evenly for consistent cooking. The beef mixture is cooked in a skillet before layering. The recipe specifies 1 cup of reserved cheddar for the topping, while the ingredients list 2 cups total; use the remaining cheese in the layers. Cook on LOW for 5–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, then add the reserved cheese and cook on HIGH for another 10–15 minutes. Rest uncovered for 10 minutes before serving. Nutrition values are estimates and may vary by ingredients and portion size.