Transform basic pantry ingredients into a hearty, satisfying meal with this classic Hamburger Hash recipe. This rustic, budget-friendly dish combines seasoned ground beef with onions and tomatoes for a comforting dinner in just 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time. This versatile casserole can be customized with whatever ingredients you have, perfect for those hectic weeknights when time and energy are in short supply. Initially from my grandmother Ethel Eynard of Jefferson City, Missouri, this family-favorite recipe proves that delicious, home-cooked meals don’t have to be complicated or expensive.
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What Makes This Recipe for Hamburger Hash So Good
The beauty of this hamburger hash lies in its simplicity and flexibility. The ground beef provides a protein-rich base, while the tomatoes create a flavorful sauce that ties everything together. The long, slow bake in the oven (though optional) allows the flavors to meld beautifully, transforming simple ingredients into a complex-tasting dish. This recipe works because it follows the basic culinary principle that humble ingredients can create deeply satisfying meals when combined and appropriately seasoned. The acidity from the tomatoes balances the richness of the beef, while the seasonings add depth without overwhelming the ingredients’ natural flavors.
One awesome feature of making hash is that you can’t do it wrong. This recipe for hamburger hash is super flexible, and you can’t mess up. Here are some other great features:
- It’s a hearty and filling dish.
- Quick and uncomplicated to make.
- It’s a great way to use up leftovers you’ve been wondering what to do with.
- It’s a good way to sneak in some greens for your kids.
- Only two cookware items are needed, making for easy cleanup.
- Great for those busy weeknights when you don’t have much time.
- It is extremely kid-friendly and approved.
Hamburger Hash Ingredients
With short prep and cooking times, hamburger hash casserole will become a staple meal for busy weeknights. Here’s what you need:
For the Hash:
- Ground beef – Provides the hearty protein base of the dish
- Onion – Adds aromatic sweetness and depth of flavor
- Garlic – Contributes essential savory notes
- Canned tomatoes – Create a rich, flavorful sauce that binds everything together
- Chili powder – Adds warmth and complexity without excessive heat
- Worcestershire sauce – Introduces umami depth and slight tanginess
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors in the dish
- Black pepper – Adds subtle heat and complexity
Optional Toppings:
- Cheddar cheese – Creates a delicious melty layer on top
How to Make Hamburger Hash Casserole
This hash begins in a skillet and finishes up in the oven. Now, you could get by simply heating this dish through on the stovetop. However, the oven’s flavor improves, so if you have time, you shouldn’t omit this step. Here are the simple steps to make this hash.
- Brown the ground beef with the onion, garlic, and seasonings.
- Add the canned tomatoes and stir them in.
- Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish
- Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
- For cheesy hamburger hash, sprinkle on cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Recipe Tips
To prevent burning, resist the urge to brown ground beef over high heat. Instead, brown over medium-high heat, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon and stirring frequently.
One of the most important aspects of making any kind of hash is seasoning it well. So, taste and add more seasoning as desired.
Recipe Variations
Hamburger hash is an excellent way to use leftovers since there are no hard and fast rules about what goes in it! Here are some ideas for variations:
- Meat: Change up this recipe by using different kinds of meat to make corned beef hash, ground chicken hash, ground turkey hash, or ground sausage hash.
- Cheese: For a hamburger hash recipe with cheese, top with mild or sharp Cheddar cheese, Swiss, Gouda, or Monterey Jack.
- Starch: Peel and dice medium russet potatoes then brown potatoes in vegetable oil. Add them to the meat mixture. Or stir in some cooked rice.
- Vegetables: Add some veggies like green or red bell pepper, corn, mushrooms, or baby spinach, and just like that, you’ve created hamburger hash supreme!
- Seasonings: You can experiment with the flavor of your hamburger hash by trying out different herbs and spices such as cayenne pepper, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, thyme, basil, and Italian seasoning.
What to Serve With Ground Beef Hash
Hamburger hash is wonderful served over cooked rice or pasta (any shape will do). Here are some other serving ideas:
- A green vegetable as a side complement to this dish works well! Broccoli, green beans, or a simple salad are all good options.Â
- For a heartier vegetable, serve it with roast red potatoes.
- Put cream-style corn on top.
- A nice crusty loaf of bread or freshly baked rolls can round out the meal.
- This recipe for hamburger hash is also good served with fried eggs for breakfast or brunch.
- Put the hash in tortillas with shredded lettuce, cheese, and sour cream.
Storage and Reheating
- For oven reheating, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until heated through
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months
- Thaw frozen hash overnight in the refrigerator
- Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through
Favorite Dinner Casseroles
- Chicken and Dressing Casserole
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
- Chinese Buffet Crab Casserole
- Easy Taco Casserole
- Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
- Sausage Casserole
Delicious Budget-Friendly Recipes
- Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
- Chicken Tetrazzini
- Loose Meat Sandwiches
- Ritz Cracker Chicken
- Stroganoff Hamburger Helper
Check out my easy casserole recipes and the best ground beef recipes on CopyKat!
This recipe for hamburger hash is courtesy of my grandmother, Ethel Eynard, who lived in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Classic Hamburger Hash Casserole with Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 29 ounces canned tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded Colby-Jack cheese optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Brown the ground beef along with the onion, garlic, chili powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce in a skillet over medium heat.
- Transfer the ground beef mixture to a casserole dish. Add the tomatoes and stir to combine.
- Cover the casserole dish and bake for 1 hour. If you would like to add cheese, uncover the dish and sprinkle the cheese on top during the final 10 minutes of baking.
I first had this meal from a friend who grew up in Butler, Missouri. She calls it Missouri Hash and adds 1 cup of uncooked rice and bakes it covered in the oven at 350 for 1½-2 hours. The rice is never mushy and adds so much to this. I think it’s interesting that your recipe comes from Missouri too.
Do you drain the tomatoes or keep the juice in?
I keep the juice in.
Is it 350 degrees? There is a typo
Yes it’s 350 degrees.
Is there supposed to be rice in this recipe? It says at the top it includes rice…
You can pour this over the top of cooked rice or pasta.