Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole Recipe (Weight Watchers-Friendly)
Serves: 6 | WW Points: 6 per serving (Green Plan), 4 per serving (Blue Plan & Purple Plan)
Overview
This Easy Hamburger Potato Casserole is a hearty, comfort food-inspired dish that’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, meal prep, or a quick weeknight meal. This recipe features ground beef, tender potatoes, and a creamy, cheesy sauce that’s baked to perfection. It’s a filling meal that combines savory beef with the earthy goodness of potatoes, and it’s been carefully designed to fit into your Weight Watchers plan, offering a balance of delicious flavor and portion control.
Whether you’re on the Green, Blue, or Purple plan of Weight Watchers, this casserole can easily fit into your daily points allowance. With a mix of lean ground beef, vegetables, and low-fat cheese, you can enjoy a generous serving without worrying about blowing your points. Plus, this recipe is flexible—if you want to make it even lighter or customize it to your tastes, we’ve included tips on how to modify the ingredients and adjust the flavor.
Let’s dive into this easy, nutritious, and family-friendly recipe that brings all the comforts of a casserole but with a smart and satisfying approach for Weight Watchers.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 1 lb lean ground beef (93% lean or higher for fewer points)
- 6 medium potatoes (about 3 lbs, peeled and thinly sliced)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup fat-free sour cream
- ½ cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for flavor and color)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
For the Topping:
- ½ cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese (for the top)
- Fresh chives or green onions for garnish (optional)
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
- Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the casserole will bake evenly and get golden brown around the edges. - Prepare the Potatoes
Begin by peeling the potatoes and slicing them thinly into approximately 1/8-inch thick slices. You can use a mandoline slicer for uniform thickness, or a sharp knife if you prefer. The thinner the slices, the quicker they will cook and the better the texture of the casserole. - Blanch the Potatoes
To ensure the potatoes cook evenly, blanch them in boiling water for 4-5 minutes. This step softens them slightly and reduces the total baking time. Once done, drain the potatoes and set them aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: Prepare the Ground Beef Filling
- Cook the Ground Beef
While the potatoes are blanching, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked (about 6-8 minutes). Drain any excess fat if necessary, especially if you’re using ground beef with a higher fat content. - Season the Meat
Once the beef is cooked through, stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika. If you prefer more seasoning, feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste. Stir in the beef broth and bring it to a simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the mixture to thicken slightly.
Step 3: Prepare the Creamy Sauce
- Make the Sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk together the fat-free sour cream, reduced-fat mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. The sour cream adds creaminess without adding a lot of calories or points, and the Dijon mustard gives the sauce a bit of tang. Add salt and pepper to taste, and mix until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
- Layer the Ingredients
In a large casserole dish (about 9×13 inches), start by layering half of the thinly sliced potatoes on the bottom of the dish. Spread them evenly to create a flat layer. - Add the Meat Mixture
Next, spread the cooked ground beef mixture over the layer of potatoes, evenly distributing it across the casserole dish. - Top with Sauce
Spoon the creamy sauce evenly over the ground beef layer, spreading it out with a spatula. This will help bind the potatoes and beef together and create a rich, creamy texture as it bakes. - Add the Second Layer of Potatoes
Top the meat and sauce with the remaining potato slices, layering them evenly. Try to overlap them slightly for even cooking and coverage.
Step 5: Bake the Casserole
- Bake the Casserole
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. The foil helps to steam the casserole and cook the potatoes without drying out the top. - Add Cheese Topping
After the casserole has baked, remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of low-fat shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return the casserole to the oven (uncovered) and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
Step 6: Let it Rest & Serve
- Rest Before Serving
Once the casserole is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps the casserole set and makes it easier to cut into portions. - Garnish & Serve
If desired, sprinkle fresh parsley or chopped chives over the top for added color and freshness. Slice the casserole into 6 even portions and serve hot.
Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 6 servings):
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Protein: 23g
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 19g
- Sugars: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 410mg
- Potassium: 650mg
- Calcium: 10% DV
- Iron: 15% DV
WW SmartPoints (per serving):
- Green Plan: 6 points
- Blue Plan: 4 points
- Purple Plan: 4 points
Weight Watchers Points Breakdown
This casserole is a Weight Watchers-friendly option that provides a great balance of protein and carbohydrates, all while being low in fat. The lean ground beef and fat-free sour cream keep it lighter, while the potatoes and cheese provide enough satisfaction to curb your hunger.
- Green Plan: 6 points per serving
- Blue Plan: 4 points per serving
- Purple Plan: 4 points per serving
This makes it a great option for anyone on the Weight Watchers program who is looking for a delicious, filling, and low-point meal. If you’re following the Green Plan and need to make it lower in points, consider using extra-lean ground turkey or swapping in cauliflower or zucchini for some of the potatoes to further reduce the carbs.
Helpful Tips & Variations
- Swap the Potatoes
While this recipe uses traditional potatoes, you can reduce the carb count by swapping out some or all of the potatoes with cauliflower. Simply steam cauliflower florets until tender and layer them in place of the potatoes. This will lower the carbs and give the dish a creamy, satisfying texture. - Use Ground Turkey for a Leaner Option
If you want to cut back on fat, swap the lean ground beef for ground turkey or chicken breast. Ground turkey is a great option that’s just as satisfying while reducing the overall fat content. - Make It Gluten-Free
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but if you’re making any substitutions (like with pre-made sauces or broth), make sure they are labeled as gluten-free to keep the dish compliant. - Customize with Vegetables
Want to add more veggies? You can toss in some frozen mixed vegetables, sliced bell peppers, or mushrooms with the meat mixture to increase the nutrient density without adding many points. - Make Ahead & Freeze
This casserole is a perfect dish to make ahead and freeze for later. To freeze, assemble the casserole up to the point of baking, then cover it tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then bake according to the recipe instructions. You may need to bake it a little longer if it’s frozen solid. - Add Spices for More Flavor
For more flavor complexity, feel free to add chili powder, paprika, or even a sprinkle