Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole


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This hamburger potato casserole takes just five ingredients and yields a hearty, beefy, brown gravy, and onion mix flavor. The prep is easy, and the cooking time is minimal, making this an ideal dinner choice for busy weeknights.

As with any crockpot hamburger casserole, you can expect to feed your whole family with ease! Not to mention, this will indeed become a new family favorite. You may also like my Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole!

beef, potatoes, onions and gravy cooked in slow cooker

You will love this meal! Ground beef along with onions, potatoes shaped like steak fries and brown gravy make a unique slow cooker meal.

I found this recipe for Hamburger Potato Casserole from the Just a Pinch Recipes! I adapted their oven version into a slow cooker version. Please look at their recipe if you prefer using an oven.

Recipe Ingredients

ingredients for beef and potato casserole on table
  • Ground Beef: Any cut and grade of beef will do. It is browned beforehand and adds heartiness to the meal.
  • Brown Gravy Mix: Mixed per package instructions, the brown gravy will help add a soupy base to the casserole.
  • Onion Soup Mix: This soup mix adds a flavorful boost and combines perfectly with the brown gravy.
  • Potatoes: A classic comfort food ingredient. Cut the potatoes into steak fries shape.
  • Onion: Adds flavor and taste to the overall dish.

Step-by-Step Directions

collage on steps to add potatoes, onion, beef, gravy to slow cooker

Step One – Skin the potatoes.

Step Two – Cut them length-wise, similar to homemade fries.

Step Three – Add the cut potatoes to the crockpot.

Step Four – Add sliced onion on top of the potatoes and sprinkle the entire packet of onion soup mix.

Step Five – Mix brown gravy according to packet direction (but in a measuring cup or bowl).

Step Six – Pour brown gravy into the slow cooker and add browned (and chopped) ground beef. Cook on LOW for 4 hours or until potatoes are soft.

overhead shot of beef and potato casserole

What to serve with this

  • Fresh Vegetables: Fresh green beans, carrots, bell peppers, and corn on the cob are perfect side dishes for this hamburger casserole.
  • Steamed Vegetables: Easy as can be, just boil water and use a steamer basket.
  • Macaroni and Cheese: Make this a super hearty meal by adding a macaroni and cheese side.
  • Homemade Cornbread: You can’t go wrong by making a pan of cornbread. If you want to skip the making part, pick up a package of sweet rolls or Italian bread from the bakery. Biscuits are also a perfect bread side for ground beef casserole too.
  • Salad: Add a healthy side with a small garden salad.
  • Toppings: Want something fresh and cool? Add a dollop of sour cream with sliced tomatoes.
cooked beef and potato casserole in crockpot

Variations

  • Add Vegetables: If you want to make this meal even heartier, consider adding your favorite vegetables. Some ideas are mushrooms, peas, corn, and diced tomatoes (in the can).
  • Add Cheese: For the cheese lovers, add your favorite shredded cheese on top. Cheddar cheese or even Parmesan cheese would pair perfectly.
  • Create a White Gravy: Substitute the brown gravy mix for a 1/2 cup of milk and 2 cans of condensed mushroom soup.

Recipe FAQs

Do you have to brown the meat first?

For this hamburger potato casserole recipe, yes. If not, you’ll smash the potatoes when crumbling the beef after cooking in the slow cooker and risk an overabundance of grease leftover from the cooked beef.

Are there different types of potatoes that can be used?

Yes. Although Russet potatoes are typically the go-to for meals like this, you can also use Yellow Gold, Baby Red Potatoes (quartered), or even frozen diced hashbrowns. Though we prefer russet, for we can cut the potatoes into long fry shapes.

Can you use different meat?

Absolutely. You can use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef, depending on your flavor preference.

plate of beef and potato casserole with green beans.

More casserole recipe ideas:

cooked beef and potato casserole in crockpot

Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole

5 from 7 votes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 5
An easy casserole with ground beef, onion, onion soup mix, gravy, and potatoes shaped like steak fries.
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How to Video

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 5 small russet potatoes
  • 1 yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 oz. Lipton onion soup mix
  • 1.74 oz. brown gravy mix , (two .87-oz. packets)
  • 2 cups water

Instructions 

  • Brown the ground beef in a skillet on the stovetop. Drain off any fat. Set aside.
  • Mix together the brown gravy mix and water, until smooth in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Peel the potatoes. Cut them in half lengthwise then cut them into half-inch slices, they will look like steak fries.
  • Add the potatoes to the slow cooker.
  • Add the sliced onion.
  • Sprinkle over the onion soup mix.
  • Add the ground beef on top of the potatoes and onion.
  • Pour over the gravy mixture.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 4. Check your potatoes for doneness at the 4 hour mark. You can stir the casserole at this point. If your potatoes are not done, cook for one more hour on low.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Sarah’s Notes

Do I have to cook the beef first?
For this hamburger potato casserole recipe, yes. If not, you’ll smash the potatoes when crumbling the beef after cooking in the slow cooker and risk an overabundance of grease leftover from the cooked beef.
Can I use a different kind of potato?
Yes. Although Russet potatoes are typically the go-to for meals like this, you can also use Yellow Gold, Baby Red Potatoes (quartered), or even frozen diced hashbrowns. Though we prefer russet, for we can cut the potatoes into long fry shapes.
Can I use a different kind of meat?
Absolutely. You can use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef, depending on your flavor preference.

Nutrition

Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 1073mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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Recipe Adapted from Just a Pinch Recipes

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Recipe Rating




19 Comments

  1. D. Smith says:

    5 stars
    I made this today and it is just delicious. I have a smaller size crock pot but it fit in perfectly.

  2. Ana says:

    5 stars
    Great weekday easy recipe for busy day
    Made as instructed but with ground turkey
    Tasted like comfort food without alot of effort
    Definitely a keeper and TY!!