Crumbling raw ground beef atop diced red potatoes, mixed with 4 basic items, into slow cooker for a savory dinner that I make without even thinking

This slow cooker 6-ingredient poor man’s hamburger casserole is my easy, toss-it-in-and-forget-it weeknight dinner. It started as one of those “use what’s in the fridge” meals and turned into something I make without even thinking. You literally dice up red potatoes, crumble raw ground beef right over the top, then mix in four basic pantry items for a cozy, savory dinner that tastes like a cross between a hamburger and a meat-and-potatoes casserole. It’s budget-friendly, kid-friendly, and perfect for those busy days when you still want a home-cooked meal waiting for you.

I like to serve this casserole with something fresh and crunchy to balance the richness—simple steamed green beans, a tossed garden salad, or even just frozen peas microwaved with a little butter and salt. A side of dinner rolls or buttered toast is great for soaking up the savory juices at the bottom of the slow cooker. If you want to stretch the meal a bit further, spoon the casserole over buttered egg noodles or rice, and top each bowl with a sprinkle of shredded cheese or chopped green onions right before serving.

Servings: 4-6

2 pounds russet or red potatoes, diced into 1/2-inch cubes (about 5–6 medium red potatoes)

Lightly spray the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray for easier cleanup.

Wash and dice the potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes, leaving the skins on if you like. Spread the diced potatoes evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker to form a solid layer.

Sprinkle the chopped onion evenly over the potatoes.

In a small bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, salt, and pepper until mostly smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the potatoes and onions, trying to cover as much as possible.

Using clean hands, crumble the raw ground beef directly over the top of the potatoes in the slow cooker, breaking it up into small, bite-sized clumps as you go. Try to distribute the beef evenly so it cooks through and seasons the whole dish.

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the ground beef is cooked through with no pink remaining.

About halfway through the cooking time, if you’re home, gently stir from the bottom up once or twice to mix the beef, potatoes, and sauce together. If you can’t stir, it will still cook, but stirring gives a more even casserole texture.

Once done, taste and adjust seasoning with a bit more salt and pepper if needed. Give everything a final stir so the potatoes, beef, and creamy sauce are well combined.

Serve hot straight from the slow cooker, spooning the casserole into bowls or onto plates. Garnish with a little shredded cheese or chopped parsley if you want to dress it up.

You can easily tweak this casserole to fit whatever you have on hand. Swap the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or cream of celery for a slightly different flavor, or use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter version (just know it will be a bit less rich). If you like a cheesier vibe, stir in 1–2 cups of shredded cheddar or Colby Jack during the last 15 minutes of cooking so it melts into the sauce. For extra veggies, add a layer of frozen mixed vegetables or frozen peas and carrots on top of the potatoes before crumbling the beef. If you prefer more seasoning, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, or a teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning to the soup mixture. Food safety tips: Always start with fully thawed ground beef so it heats quickly and cooks evenly in the slow cooker—never put frozen ground beef straight into the slow cooker, as it can stay too long in the temperature “danger zone.” Make sure the casserole reaches at least 160°F in the center (use a meat thermometer if you’re unsure) and that no pink remains in the beef. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking, and reheat thoroughly until steaming hot before eating.