Description
A comforting, easy-to-make slow cooker casserole featuring ground beef, frozen hash browns, cream of mushroom soup, and cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal prep and cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 30 oz frozen hash browns (shredded)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust based on soup sodium)
- 1 tablespoon non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the cheese.
- Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the beef in the last 2 minutes of cooking to soften without burning.
- Layer the base: Lightly spray the slow cooker insert with non-stick spray. Add half of the frozen hash browns to the bottom.
- Add meat layer: Spread the browned beef and onion mixture over the hash browns. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the beef.
- Add soup: Pour the cream of mushroom soup over the beef layer and spread evenly to prevent drying.
- Top and cook: Add the remaining hash browns and the rest of the cheese on top. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours until potatoes are tender.
- Serve: Stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, optionally topped with green onions or bacon bits.
Notes
[‘Drain the beef thoroughly to avoid a greasy casserole.’, ‘Use frozen hash browns as they are pre-cooked and soften faster than fresh potatoes.’, ‘Cooking on LOW for 4-6 hours yields the best texture; HIGH heat may make potatoes mushy.’, ‘Layering cheese helps bind the ingredients and prevents dry spots.’, ‘This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy content; store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.’]
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 20
Keywords: slow cooker, ground beef, potato casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, weeknight meals, family friendly