Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole with Sour Cream
This Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish combining savory defrosted meatballs and hashbrowns in a rich, creamy sauce made with cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and butter. Enhanced with diced onion and chiles, and topped with cheddar cheese, it bakes into a bubbly, golden main course perfect for family dinners or large gatherings.
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For combining all ingredients thoroughly.
- 1 9x13 inch Casserole Dish Standard size for baking this quantity.
- 1 Whisk For smoothly combining the wet ingredients.
- 1 Chef's knife For dicing onion and preparing chives.
- 1 Cutting Board Essential for safe and efficient dicing.
Ingredients
Main
- 1 bag frozen meatballs defrosted
- 2 c cheddar cheese
- 1/4 c chives optional
- 3/4 onion diced
- 24 oz frozen hashbrowns defrosted
- 1/2 c butter melted
- 1/2 tsp salt optional
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 2 c sour cream light is okay
- 1 can chiles diced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Ensure frozen meatballs and hashbrowns are fully defrosted according to package directions.
- Dice the onion and chiles finely.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, melted butter, and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Add the defrosted hashbrowns, defrosted meatballs, diced onion, and diced chiles to the soup mixture.
- Stir all ingredients thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Gently fold in 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture.
- Transfer the entire mixture evenly into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cheese topping is golden brown. Let rest for a few minutes before serving, optionally garnished with fresh chives.
Notes
To elevate this comforting casserole, consider sautéing the diced onion until translucent and lightly caramelized before mixing it in; this develops a deeper, sweeter flavor profile. For an extra layer of richness, briefly sear the defrosted meatballs in a hot pan to develop some crust. Opt for a sharp cheddar cheese for a more pronounced flavor. Do not overbake, as this can dry out the casserole; it's ready when bubbly and the cheese is golden. A touch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce in the mix can add subtle complexity. Garnish with fresh chives right before serving for a pop of color and fresh oniony bite.