Are you on the lookout for a meal that ticks every box—one that’s deeply comforting, wonderfully simple to prepare, and a guaranteed winner with the whole family? We understand that on hectic weeknights, spending ages over a hot stove is the last thing on anyone’s mind. Imagine coming home to a delicious, hearty dinner already bubbling away, filling your home with an irresistible aroma. Well, we have just the thing for you. This is our definitive Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe, a brilliant one-pot meal that delivers maximum flavour with minimal fuss.

We think of this dish as a warm embrace in a bowl, layering savoury beef mince with tender potatoes in a rich and creamy sauce, all gently slow-cooked to bring out the best in every ingredient. It’s the kind of meal that brings a sense of cosiness and contentment, which is why it has become a firm favourite in our kitchen. We’ve crafted this recipe to be as straightforward as possible, so let’s get started on creating a dinner that will have everyone at the table asking for more.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Convenience: We absolutely adore the ‘set it and forget it’ nature of slow cooking. With just a small amount of preparation in the morning, your crockpot takes over, leaving you free to go about your day, knowing a delicious dinner is waiting. It’s a true game-changer for busy schedules!
• Warm and Satisfying: This Hamburger Potato Casserole is the very definition of comfort food. The blend of well-seasoned beef, soft, yielding potatoes, and a velvety, cheesy sauce is wonderfully satisfying and just perfect for a cool evening.
• A Hit with Everyone: Thanks to its classic, wholesome ingredients, this dish is loved by both kids and grown-ups alike. You won’t find any complex or fussy flavours here, just pure, simple goodness that the whole family can enjoy together.
• Made with Simple Staples: We’ve built this recipe around common, affordable ingredients like beef mince and potatoes. It’s an excellent way to prepare a substantial and flavour-packed meal that is also kind to your wallet.
• Easily Adaptable: This recipe serves as a brilliant foundation for your own kitchen creativity. Feel free to add some extra vegetables, try a different cheese, or tweak the seasonings to put your own unique spin on it.

Ingredients

• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 kg potatoes (Maris Piper or King Edward work well), peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 can (295g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 250ml beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 200g mature cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

How to Make This Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe

Putting together this fantastic Crockpot Casserole is surprisingly easy. We’ve outlined the process in a handful of simple, manageable steps to guarantee a perfect outcome every single time. Just follow along, and you’ll soon have a delicious dinner simmering away.

1. Brown the Mince and Onion: In a large frying pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over a medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften. Tip in the beef mince, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until it is browned throughout. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until aromatic, then drain any excess fat from the pan.
2. Create the Creamy Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth, then season with salt and pepper. This rich sauce is what brings the whole casserole together!
3. Assemble the Layers: Lightly grease the inner bowl of your slow cooker to ensure nothing sticks. Begin by arranging a layer of thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom. Spoon half of the browned beef mixture over the potatoes. Next, pour over half of the sauce, ensuring it’s spread out evenly. Repeat these layers once more: potatoes, the rest of the beef, and finally, the remaining sauce, making sure the top is well-covered.
4. Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic: Secure the lid on your crockpot and select your cooking time. We find it cooks perfectly on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the potatoes are tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork. This slow cooking period is key to letting the flavours meld together beautifully.
5. Melt the Cheese on Top: Around 20 to 30 minutes before serving, scatter the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the surface of the casserole. Pop the lid back on and let it cook until the cheese is gloriously melted and bubbly.
6. Allow to Rest Before Serving: Once the cooking is complete, switch off the slow cooker and let the casserole stand for about 10 minutes. This little rest helps it to firm up slightly, making it much easier to serve. If you wish, garnish with some freshly chopped parsley for a touch of colour.

Tips for the Perfect Potato Casserole

To ensure your casserole is the best it can be, we’ve pulled together some of our top tips. These small adjustments can elevate the finished dish from good to great.

Choosing the Right Potatoes

The variety of potato you select can really influence the final texture. For this Potato Casserole, we suggest using a good all-rounder or waxy type, such as Maris Piper, Desiree, or King Edward. These spuds hold their shape well over a long cooking period and won’t disintegrate into mush, giving you a perfect consistency.

Don’t Skip Browning the Mince

While it might feel like an extra task, browning the beef mince before it goes into the crockpot is a vital step. This browning process, known as the Maillard reaction, develops a deep, rich, and savoury flavour that you just can’t get from adding raw mince. It also gives you the chance to drain away any excess fat, resulting in a cleaner, less greasy dish.

Slice Potatoes Evenly

For consistent results where every bite is perfectly cooked, aim to slice your potatoes to a uniform thickness, around 3-4mm (or 1/8 inch). If your slices are uneven, you risk having some that are undercooked while others are overly soft. A mandoline slicer is excellent for achieving this consistency, though a sharp knife and a bit of care will also do the trick.

Easy Variations to Try

One of our favourite aspects of this recipe is just how versatile it is. Don’t hesitate to experiment and adjust it to suit your family’s preferences!

• Pack in More Veggies: To increase the nutritional value, try adding a layer of sliced carrots, sweetcorn, frozen peas, or chopped bell peppers along with the beef.
• Change the Soup Base: If you’re not a fan of mushroom soup, that’s no issue at all. This Crockpot Hamburger Casserole works just as well with cream of celery, cream of chicken, or even a condensed cheddar cheese soup.
• Use a Different Mince: For a lighter take on the classic, this recipe is delicious when made with turkey or chicken mince.
• Add a Little Spice: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add half a teaspoon of chilli powder or a few splashes of your favourite hot sauce to the soup mixture. For a smoky twist, you could draw inspiration from our zesty Southwest Chicken Casserole by adding a dash of cumin.
• Looking for Lighter Fare?: For another deeply satisfying comfort meal, our Low Carb Chicken Casserole provides a similarly hearty and comforting experience with a different focus.

Always remember that cooking should be an enjoyable and creative process. Feel free to play around with different ingredients and flavours to discover your family’s favourite version of this wonderful dish.

FAQ

A Comforting Meal for Any Occasion

And there we have it—a simple, deeply satisfying, and completely delicious Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole that we’re sure will become a new staple in your home. It’s the ideal solution for those “What’s for dinner?” moments, offering a complete and comforting meal with very little hands-on time.

This recipe is a wonderful reminder that you don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated methods to produce something truly special. The real magic unfolds in the slow cooker, where basic ingredients are transformed into a rich, flavourful, and cheesy meal. It’s ideal for a cosy night in, a gathering with friends, or any time you need a dependable and hearty dish.

We would be thrilled to hear how your Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe goes! Did you add your own twist? Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts or any handy tips you discovered. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and pass it on to others who appreciate good food!

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Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 3-8 hours
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 kg potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 can (295g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 250ml beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 200g mature cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan. Cook the onion until soft, then add the beef mince and brown it. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Drain any fat.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the soup, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Grease your slow cooker. Layer half the potatoes, then half the beef, and half the sauce. Repeat the layers.
4. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
5. About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the cheese over the top and replace the lid until it is melted and bubbly.
6. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 830 kcal, Carbs: 48 g, Protein: 43 g, Fat: 50 g