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    Home » Recipes » Entree

    Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

    Published: Apr 26, 2019 · Modified: Apr 26, 2019 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole with ranch seasoning is an easy family dinner. #casserole #hamburger #dinner #easy

    Loaded with Colby Jack cheese and tangy ranch seasoning, this hamburger hash brown casserole is an easy dinner that will please the whole family.

    As long as human beings are required to cook their own food, casseroles will never go out of style. These effort saving dishes are loaded with flavorful ingredients, yet minimal fuss is needed to prepare them.

    Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

    Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

    My hamburger hash brown casserole recipe is an easy family meal that features browned ground beef and shredded hash browns tossed with onions, ranch seasoning, sour cream, and plenty of melted cheese.

    How to Make Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

    The onions and the beef are cooked in a skillet prior to placing them in the casserole dish. For maximum flavor, the beef should be well browned. The dark brown crust that begins to form on the crumbles of hamburger is what contains the most flavor.

    This casserole fits perfectly in a 2-quart baking dish. (affiliate link) Placing it in the oven for 45 minutes will ensure the hash browns are properly cooked. A layer of cheese is added on top of the casserole during the final 15 minutes of baking to ensure it doesn't burn.

    How to Make Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

    Best Beef for Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

    When making homemade hamburgers or a classic meatloaf, I typically recommend using 80/20 beef because of the added moisture it provides. However, the sour cream and shredded cheese will lend plenty of moisture to this casserole so I recommend saving yourself some calories by using leaner beef for this recipe. Anything like 90/10 or even 96/4 hamburger will work perfectly.

    Can I make my hash browns from scratch

    I have made homemade shredded hash browns from scratch more times than I care to admit (it was actually this website's first popular recipe!). However, using fresh potato shreds never work well in casseroles. I have tried it numerous times in my cheesy hash brown casserole, and they never soften regardless of how long I cook them for.

    Honestly, I believe the secret is freezing the potato shreds. The ice crystals pierce the internal structure, allowing them to cook up softer than raw potatoes would. If you are going to use frozen shredded potatoes, you may as well save the effort and get them out of your grocer's freezer department.

    Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

    How to Customize Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

    I make my hamburger hash brown casserole with sour cream and ranch seasoning because I love the bright tangy flavor it adds to the dish. However, this is not the only great way to make it.

    If you want to get creative, substitute the ranch seasoning, sour cream and milk for an euqal amount of brown gravy instead. You can load the gravy with your choice of flavorings such as onions, mushrooms, thyme, or sage. If using brown gravy, I would probably swap the cheese with Provolone, or something similar to match the new flavor profile a bit better.

    Easy family casserole
    Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

    Hamburger Hash Brown Casserole

    Loaded with Colby Jack cheese and tangy ranch seasoning, this hamburger hash brown casserole is an easy dinner that will please the whole family.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 55 minutes
    Resting Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 692kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 pound extra lean ground beef
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 medium onion (chopped)
    • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 16 ounces shredded hash brown potatoes (~4 cups)
    • 2 cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese (divided)
    • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
    • 1 ounce ranch seasoning packet
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • ¼ cup milk

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    • Add butter, hamburger, and chopped onions, along with salt and pepper to a skillet set over medium heat. Cook until hamburger is browned and onions are tender. Add Worcestershire sauce and minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
    • Remove mixture from skillet and place in a large bowl with hash browns, 1 cup of cheese, and chopped green onions.
    • In a separate dish combine ranch seasoning with sour cream and milk. Mix to combine then add it into the bowl containing the casserole mixture. Mix everything together.
    • Pour casserole into a 2-quart baking dish and place in oven for 30 minutes.
    • After 30 minutes sprinkle remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese over the top of the casserole and return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes.
    • Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

    Notes

    IF YOU LIKED THIS RECIPE check out my Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole as well!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 692kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 179mg | Sodium: 747mg | Potassium: 940mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1215IU | Vitamin C: 12.3mg | Calcium: 563mg | Iron: 4.5mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mama

      May 24, 2022 at 8:57 am

      5 stars
      The family loved this and will definitely be making again. Wondering if you can freeze leftovers after cooking??

      Reply
    2. greeneyes

      August 09, 2021 at 5:22 pm

      You dont cook hash browns first do you? or do you just put in with mixture raw?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        August 10, 2021 at 8:22 am

        Don't precook them. They will bake in the oven.

        Reply
    3. Jennifer Kazee

      September 27, 2020 at 8:32 am

      5 stars
      My family loves this. I always have to double so we have leftovers 😊

      Reply
    4. Cherie Swatek Fedder

      May 02, 2019 at 10:50 pm

      For the Ranch dressing is 1oz a whole envelope or must I weigh out 1 oz.?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        May 03, 2019 at 7:38 am

        They are sold in 1 oz packets typically.

        Reply
      • Beachgirl

        October 26, 2019 at 12:58 pm

        I use a packet

        Reply

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