If you’re looking for a cozy, comforting meal that doesn’t demand a dozen ingredients or complicated steps, you’re going to love this 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that I turn to when I want something hearty, fuss-free, and family-approved — and trust me, it never disappoints. Using simple pantry staples and frozen potatoes, this casserole comes together in a snap but tastes like you put in way more effort. Plus, the layers of creamy soups and melty cheese make every bite feel like a warm hug.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simplicity at Its Best: Just five main ingredients means less time shopping and more time enjoying your meal.
- Comfort Food Classic: Creamy, cheesy, and satisfying – perfect for weeknights or potlucks.
- Budget-Friendly: Ground beef and pantry staples make this an affordable dish without feeling cheap.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this casserole every time – and yours will too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe strikes the perfect balance between rich flavors and simplicity. Each ingredient adds its own magic while keeping things straightforward, so you can focus on enjoying the process, not stressing about hunting for fancy items.
- Ground beef: I prefer lean or 80/20 for the best flavor without too much grease.
- Cream of mushroom soup: This adds a velvety, earthy background that ties everything together nicely.
- Cream of cheddar cheese soup: A secret weapon for cheesy depth and creamy texture.
- Frozen cubed potatoes: Using frozen saves prep time – no peeling or dicing required!
- Shredded cheddar cheese: For that irresistible golden, melty topping everyone loves.
Variations
I love how versatile this 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole Recipe is. Once you’ve nailed the base, it’s a breeze to tweak things to suit your taste buds or what you’ve got on hand.
- Add some veggies: I sometimes toss in frozen peas or corn for a pop of color and sweetness — it balances the richness beautifully.
- Spice it up: If you like a bit of heat, stirring in a dash of smoked paprika or chili powder gives the casserole an exciting kick.
- Swap the cheese: Try pepper jack or a blend for a funky twist that still melts perfectly.
- Make it lower carb: Use cauliflower florets instead of potatoes — my husband actually prefers it this way!
How to Make 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Brown your ground beef perfectly
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble in the ground beef and cook until it’s fully browned, breaking it up as you go. Once there’s no pink left, drain off excess grease — this step keeps the casserole from getting greasy but still flavorful. I like to season it lightly here with salt and pepper to layer in some flavor early on.
Step 2: Mix all ingredients in one bowl
Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your browned beef, cream of mushroom soup, cream of cheddar cheese soup, frozen cubed potatoes, and half of your shredded cheddar cheese. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then stir everything together gently but thoroughly. At this stage, you’ll notice the cream soups create a creamy sauce that will turn wonderfully bubbly in the oven.
Step 3: Bake with love and patience
Pour your mixture into a well-greased 9″ by 13″ casserole dish. Spread it out evenly, then sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top — this gives you that irresistible golden crust. Cover the dish tightly with foil to keep the moisture in, then bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. After that, remove the foil carefully (watch out for steam!) and bake for another 30 minutes so the cheese can brown and the potatoes cook through.
Pro Tips for Making 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole Recipe
- Don’t skip draining: I learned this the hard way—draining the beef prevents greasy casserole and keeps flavors clean.
- Use frozen potatoes for ease: Frozen cubed potatoes cook evenly here, saving you the hassle of peeling and chopping.
- Cover it first: Keeping foil on the casserole for the first half of baking traps steam that helps the potatoes tenderize.
- Cheese timing: Sprinkle half inside for creamy layers, half on top for a golden crust that makes everybody smile.
How to Serve 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top mine with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or sliced green onions—the fresh herbs cut through the richness and add a lovely pop of color. Sometimes I even add a dollop of sour cream on the side for extra creaminess.
Side Dishes
This casserole is hearty enough on its own, but I like pairing it with a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli to lighten the meal. A simple side of garlic bread also works wonderfully if you’re craving some carb love.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners or potlucks, I sometimes bake the casserole in individual ramekins or muffin tins—makes serving a breeze and adds a cute, personal touch. You could also top it with some crispy fried onions for a fun twist on textures.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. The casserole keeps well for up to 3-4 days and actually tastes even better the next day when the flavors meld together. Just give it a quick reheat in the oven or microwave.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this casserole a few times with good results — portion it out into freezer-safe containers before baking or freeze leftovers after baking. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and it will be just as comforting and delicious.
Reheating
To keep the cheesy top nice and melty, I like reheating leftovers in the oven at 325°F until warmed through. If you’re short on time, the microwave works too—just cover loosely to avoid drying out.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of meat in this casserole?
Absolutely! While ground beef works best for its flavor and texture, ground turkey or chicken can be great leaner alternatives. Just be mindful that poultry cooks a bit differently, so adjusting cooking time slightly may be needed.
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Do I have to use both types of cream soups?
Using both cream of mushroom and cream of cheddar cheese soup creates a rich, layered flavor that makes this dish so comforting. However, if you want to simplify, you can choose just one based on your preference, but keep in mind the final taste will be a bit different.
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Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can mix all the ingredients and assemble the casserole in your dish, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add some extra baking time since the dish will be cold going into the oven.
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How do I make the casserole less salty?
Because canned soups can be salty, I recommend tasting and adjusting salt carefully after combining ingredients. You might also try low-sodium versions of cream soups or rinse frozen potatoes briefly before adding to the mix.
Final Thoughts
This 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole Recipe is a total winner in my book because it takes very little effort but delivers big on comfort and satisfaction. I love how it brings my family together around the table with minimal prep and maximum flavor. If you’re after a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate, give this casserole a try — I promise, you’ll want to make it again and again.
Print
5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for quick family dinners. Combining savory ground beef, creamy mushroom and cheddar soups, frozen potatoes, and melty cheddar cheese, it requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1-1/2 to 2 pounds ground beef
- 10.5 ounce can cream of condensed mushroom soup
- 10.5 ounce can cream of cheddar cheese soup
- 3 cups cubed frozen potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for baking your casserole.
- Cook the ground beef: Place the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, cook until browned and no longer pink inside. Drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from being too oily.
- Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, cream of cheddar cheese soup, cubed frozen potatoes, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Prepare casserole dish: Grease a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking. Pour the mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture during baking.
- Bake the casserole: Place the covered casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Finish baking: Carefully remove the foil (watch out for steam!) and return the casserole to the oven. Bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes to allow the cheese to brown and the casserole to fully set.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your comforting ground beef casserole!
Notes
- Nutrition information is based on using 2 pounds of ground beef.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- For best results, mix ingredients thoroughly to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
- Using frozen cubed potatoes helps save prep time, but you can substitute with fresh cubed potatoes if preferred—just blanch them first.
- This recipe serves 12, making it ideal for meal prepping or serving a large group.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12th of casserole
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
