Hamburger Hash

Hamburger hash is the perfect dish to make in the middle of the week. When you are busy and tired after a long day, making this budget-friendly meal is easy. This hamburger hash recipe also works for a lazy weekend.

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What is Hamburger Hash?

Hash comes from the French word hacher, meaning to chop. Everything about hamburger hash has a rough chopped, rustic feel to it. It’s down-home comfort food at its best and always hits the spot.

What Makes This Recipe for Hamburger Hash So Good

Hamburger hash is a way to combine ground beef with some items you probably already have on hand in your pantry. For instance, you may always stock canned tomatoes because they are versatile and can be used in oh so many ways.

This hamburger hash casserole is made with ground beef, chopped onions, garlic, and lots of canned tomatoes. And seasonings bring out that special taste.

One awesome feature of making hash is that you just can’t do it wrong. This recipe for hamburger hash is super flexible, and you really can’t mess up. Here are some other great features:

• A hearty and filling dish.
• Quick and uncomplicated to make.
• A great way to use up leftovers you’ve been wondering what to do with.
• 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.
• 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:

• Ground beef
• Onion – sweet or white onion
• Garlic
• Canned tomatoes
• Chili powder
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cheese (optional but essential if you like cheesy hamburger hash)

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 flavor does improve in the oven, so if you have time, you shouldn’t omit this step. Here are the simple steps to make this hash.

1. Brown the ground beef with the onion, garlic, and seasonings.

2. Add the canned tomatoes and stir them in.

3. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish
4. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
5. 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. 
• 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.

How to Store Leftover Hamburger Hash

If you have leftovers, don’t leave them out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Store: Allow the hamburger hash to cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Freeze: Seal the hash tightly and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge before reheating it on the stovetop or in the oven.

Also, hamburger hash can absolutely be made ahead of time and taken out of the fridge to reheat when you are ready.

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.