This post contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Cheesy Ground Beef Hashbrown Casserole Everyone Loves: This cheesy ground beef hashbrown casserole is one of those recipes that always hits the spot. It’s cozy, filling, and made with simple ingredients that come together into a creamy, comforting bake. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just need a no-fuss dinner, this is the kind of casserole you can count on. This Cheesy Beef Hashbrown Casserole Is Pure Comfort Food!
With seasoned ground beef, shredded hashbrowns, plenty of cheese, and a creamy mushroom soup base, this casserole bakes up hot and bubbly with a lightly golden top. It’s easy to prep, budget-friendly, and perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to potlucks and game day spreads.
If you love classic casseroles that are hearty, satisfying, and easy to make ahead, this cheesy beef hashbrown casserole deserves a spot in your regular rotation.
Don’t want all the extras in a recipe post? We provide a skip to recipe button in the top left corner, as well as a clickable table of contents, just below, to help make this page easier to navigate.
At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
How to Make Cheesy Beef and Hashbrown Casserole
This ground beef hashbrown casserole is incredibly easy to make, which makes it perfect for busy nights and for sharing with others. It uses simple, familiar ingredients, comes together in one bowl, and bakes hands-off in the oven, so there’s no complicated prep or special equipment involved.
Because it’s hearty, comforting, and reheats beautifully, it’s an ideal choice for meal trains, new parents, or bringing to a neighbor in need for the kind of cozy, filling dish that travels well and feeds a family with very little effort.
Ground Beef and Hashbrown Casserole Ingredients
To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:
- Ground beef (1 lb): Adds hearty, savory flavor and makes the casserole filling and satisfying.
- Potato hashbrown shreds (1 lb): Create the base of the casserole, adding texture and structure while soaking up the creamy sauce as they bake.
- Shredded cheese (8 oz): Melts throughout the casserole, adding richness, flavor, and a lightly gooey texture.
- Cream of mushroom soup (2 cans): Forms the creamy sauce that binds everything together and adds classic comfort-food flavor.
- Water (4 oz): Thins the soup just enough so the hashbrowns cook through evenly and the casserole stays creamy, not dry.
- Salt and pepper: Enhance and balance all the flavors so the casserole doesn’t taste flat.
Steps to Make Ground Beef and Hashbrown Bake
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:
Brown Beef
Brown ground beef. Pour off any excess fat.
Mix Casserole
Set a bit of cheese to the side. In a greased casserole dish, combine frozen hashbrowns, browned ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, water, salt and pepper. Mix well.
Bake
Sprinkle reserved cheese to top casserole with.
Serve & Enjoy!
Let rest 5 minutes, slice, and serve!
Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Creamy Ground Beef and Hashbrown Bake
Drain the ground beef well to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
Use frozen hashbrowns straight from the freezer — no need to thaw.
Mix everything thoroughly so the hashbrowns bake evenly throughout.
Bake uncovered to allow the top to lightly brown.
Let the casserole rest 5–10 minutes before serving so it sets up cleanly.
For extra color, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
Make-Ahead Instructions
This dish is great to make ahead, for meal prep, taking to work, or big family dinners since it is easily prepped ahead of time.
- Assemble the casserole completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
- When ready to bake, remove from the fridge while the oven preheats.
- Bake as directed, adding 5–10 extra minutes if needed.
Freezer Instructions
This casserole freezes well – I like to make it to give frozen for meals for people at church when they have a new baby or other meal trains.
To Freeze Unbaked:
- Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
To Freeze Baked:
- Let the casserole cool completely.
- Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat covered at 350°F until warmed through.
Cheesy Ground Beef Hashbrown Casserole Recipe FAQs
Yes, any cream-style soup works well and slightly changes the flavor.
No. Frozen hashbrowns work best and help keep the casserole from getting mushy.
Absolutely. Diced onions, peas, or corn mix in easily.
Too much grease from the beef or thawed hashbrowns can add excess moisture. Bake uncovered to help cook off excess moisture.
You can, but the cheese adds richness and helps bind the casserole together.
What to Serve With Cheesy Beef and Hashbrown Bake
Cheesy Ground Beef Hashbrown Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb potato hashbrown shreds
- 8 oz cheese, shredded
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
- 4 oz water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown 1 lb ground beef, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Drain excess grease.
- In a large bowl, stir together 2 cans cream of mushroom soup and 4 oz water until smooth.
- Add the cooked ground beef, 1 lb hashbrown shreds, and 8 oz shredded cheese to the bowl and mix until evenly combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, until hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
