Hashbrown and Ground Beef Casserole

• Frozen hashbrowns for the win! No need to peel or grate potatoes by hand.
• No cream soup means this casserole is gluten-free, and it feeds a crowd so it’s great for potlucks.
• You can easily customize this recipe to suit your family’s tastes.

Ingredients

Here’s how to make hashbrown casserole with ground beef in the oven:

• lean ground beef – I like to use 86% or 90%
• onions – I like to use sweet onions, but yellow onions or white onions will also work
• beef stock – vegetable stock also works.
• sour cream – or low fat sour cream: adds creaminess and a little tang
• frozen hashbrowns – also known as shredded potatoes
• cheddar cheese – gotta make it cheesy
• dried oregano – see Variations below for other suggestions
• fresh scallions (optional) – fresh chives or parsley is also good
• kosher salt and black pepper

This is meant to be a brief overview of this great recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.

Ang’s Tips

✔️ Freshly grated cheese melts better. If you have extra time, place the cheese into the freezer for 10 minutes. Then, use your food processor fitted with the slicing/shredding disc to shred your own cheese.

✔️ Not only can you make this with ground beef, but it’s also tasty using ground pork, ground sausage, or your favorite plant-based vegan ground substitute. You could also make it with leftover pot roast or shredded beef.

Storage

To Store: Leftover hashbrown and ground beef casserole should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)

To Reheat: Microwave individual portions in 30 second intervals until heated throughout.

To Freeze: Assemble the casserole, minus the cheese on top. Wrap the casserole in aluminum foil, and then place it into a 2-gallon freezer bag. Label and seal tightly. Place in the freezer for 3-4 months.

To Thaw: Transfer the casserole from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow to thaw for 24 hours. I recommend removing it from the fridge 1 hour before baking to allow the casserole. Bake as instructed, adding the remaining cheese in the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Slow Cooker Instructions

This easy casserole can also be made right in your crockpot! Here’s how:

1. Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray.
2. Place the cooked onion and beef mixture into a slow cooker.
3. Mix in the beef stock, seasonings, sour cream, and half the cheese.
4. Top with the hashbrown potatoes and the remaining cheese.
5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 6 hours.

This is my favorite slow cooker. It just works great and it’s durable. I’ve had this one for almost a decade.

Variations

The first time you try any new recipe we recommend that you make it just as it is written on the recipe card since that is how the hashbrown hamburger casserole recipe has been tested. However, the next time you make our recipe, you might want to try one of these ideas:

If you don’t have frozen shredded potatoes, you can use tater tots or hashbrown patties instead.

Make this a true all-in-one meal by adding frozen corn, carrots, green beans, or peas to the beef mixture.

While I love cheddar cheese in this casserole, you could also use Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Colby Jack cheese – or a combination of them.

Amp up the beefiness and umami flavor by adding a tablespoon of Worcestershire when cooking the beef.

If you’re not a fan of oregano, you can use a different flavor by substituting fresh basil or parsley. If you like, use Montreal seasoning, or for taco night, use taco seasoning and serve with salsa on the side.

Serving Suggestions

This easy meal can be served just as it is with a fresh green salad, or you can add a favorite veggie. Glazed carrots and roasted beets are a big hit in my house.

Similar Recipes

For those who love potatoes, you can’t miss this collection of tater tot casseroles! Next time you’re craving comfort food, try one of these delicious recipes:

• hamburger and potato casserole
• Philly cheesesteak casserole
• big mac casserole
• Greek spaghetti casserole
• walking taco casserole

And if you love beef casserole recipes, check out this collection of easy ground beef casseroles.

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