This hamburger potato casserole recipe creates a potato crust with layers of seasoned ground beef and corn underneath a melty topping of cheese, offering a delicious twist on cottage pie. I have fond memories of classic cottage pie, a dish I’d never seen or heard of until I moved from New York City to rural Vermont. There, in the cafeteria at our tiny elementary school, I had my first taste of the savory pie alongside freshly made maple baked beans.

Unlike a classic cottage pie recipe, this hamburger and potato casserole features the layers in reverse. A crust of thinly sliced potatoes is topped with ground beef, corn, and a creamy combination of creamy celery soup, milk and cheddar. The resulting hamburger casserole with potatoes is fantastic for cozy cool-weather dinners, potluck parties and small, casual gatherings.

Ingredients for Hamburger Potato Casserole

• Potatoes: Starchy russet potatoes are the best type of potato for a dish with a crispy ‘tater crust. Creamy all-purpose Yukon Gold potatoes also crisp up nicely. Waxy red-skinned potatoes wouldn’t be a first choice but can be used in a pinch.
• Butter: Salted or unsalted butter works for this hamburger casserole with potatoes recipe.
• Seasonings: Our hamburger and potato casserole recipe keeps seasonings simple with salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Check our recipe variations for ideas about how to spice up the recipe.
• Ground beef: You can use any type of ground beef, such as lean ground sirloin or ground chuck. If you have access to freshly ground beef from a butcher’s shop or a farmers market, that will likely be the most flavorful option.
• Frozen corn: Frozen corn preserves the deliciously sweet taste of corn year-round. However, if fresh corn happens to be in season when you make hamburger potato casserole, cut the kernels off the cob and throw them in.
• Cream of celery soup: A casserole classic, cream of celery soup adds richness to hamburger casserole with potatoes. Not into celery? Swap in the creamy condensed soup of your choice.
• Milk: The hamburger and potato casserole recipe calls for 2% milk, but you can use any milk you have on hand.
• Chopped onion: We typically use white or yellow onions for this dish, but red onions are a great option to add a pop of color.
• Cheddar cheese: Zingy cheddar cheese perks up the flavor of hamburger casserole with potatoes. If you enjoy bold cheese, don’t be afraid to go with extra-sharp cheddar.
• Parsley: A smattering of minced parsley adds a bit of color and fresh flavor. Feel free to omit it if you don’t have any kicking around.

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