Hamburger Potato Chip Casserole is a delicious recipe very typical of the Berne, Indiana Amish community. Ah, see the photo below. That's an open-buggy traveling through the rural countryside of Adams County, Indiana. Man, that is some beautiful country, so pastoral and peaceful. I've spent many years there.

This recipe comes to us from a farmhouse kitchen in the rural hinterlands outside of Berne, Indiana, home of the open-buggy Swiss Amish.
This is a casserole that comes to us from an Amish woman in Atlantic, Pennsylvania. She doesn't say why it is called "thank you" casserole, so we'll just have to assume that the casserole is so tasty that you'll say "thank you" a million times after you're served it. So, thank me for posting it:), and enjoy!
The Story of Soups
Every time I run a recipe with canned soups I get some push-back from some readers who say "it is not a genuine Amish recipe." But, well, first of all, not all Amish cooks would make this recipe with canned soups. Some would make their own homemade versions, especially of the canned vegetable soup.
However, I will say that this recipe is common within the post-WWII tradition of Amish cooking, where processed, canned foods became popular among the Amish. So while, yes, the Amish historically were viewed as a farm-to-fork culinary culture, that changed greatly after WWII when convenience foods started gaining a foothold in some Amish settlements. There definitely is a lot of variation between Amish settlements. Those canned soups, for instance, didn't gain popularity in Lancaster County, PA in the same way they did in Adams County, Indiana. I just chalk up the differences as local custom and culture taking root.
An Easy Casserole
My parents made the recipe the other night and they really enjoyed it. Just one of these tasty, hearty calorie-packed suppers that Amish farmers and craftsmen need to fuel themselves through their days.
Garden Variations
The recipe listed here is the "base model", but you can load it up with seasonal garden veggies: corn, diced fresh tomatoes, or sliced carrots.
So if you are looking for a good supper, check this out!
with potatoes
Many Amish grow their own potatoes, which definitely adds freshness to the casserole. But whether you use store-bought or homegrown, slice them raw into the casserole dish.
You can use hamburger, but if you have chunk beef or roast beef, you can use that too.
I know we have a lot of people on this site that don't like mushrooms, so, yeah, don't add them if you don't like them!
This is my kind of meal, a pile-on-your plate meal with cheese and chips on top. Wow.
🥘 Hamburger Potato Chip Casserole Ingredients
- 5 raw potatoes
- 1 pound hamburger or 2 cups leftover roast beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 can vegetable beef soup
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- potato chips
📋 Instructions
- Slice potatoes into a greased 1 1 /2 quart or 2 quart baking dish.
- Break up the raw hamburger or cubed leftover meat.
- Add both cans of soup (both undiluted) and the onion.
- Crumble a few potato chips on top and cover tightly with lid or foil, bake for 60 minutes at 350.
🥘 More Casserole Recipes
Upside-Down Bacon Casserole - Delicious!
Farmer's Hearty Casserole - so good!
Easy Amish Ham Casserole - super tasty!
Penny Supper Casserole - Enjoy!
🖨️ Full Recipe
Hamburger Potato Chip Casserole
Ingredients
- 5 raw potatoes
- 1 pound hamburger or 2 cups leftover roast beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 can vegetable beef soup
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- potato chips
Instructions
- Slice potatoes into a greased 1 1 /2 quart or 2 quart baking dish.
- Break up the raw hamburger or cubed leftover meat.
- Add both cans of soup (both undiluted) and the onion.
- Crumble a few potato chips on top and cover tightly with lid or foil, bake for 60 minutes at 350.
joanna
I love Amish food. Traveled to many states to the Amish communities .
Claudine Bratcher
Kevin,
I, for one, NEVER get tired of reading about what you write. I have really enjoyed reading about your coverage of the riots. We are having them around my area. I'll never understand why any group feels it is necessary to destroy property, by burning and looting. Yes, we have the right to peaceful protests, but not the destruction that's going on. Enough said!
Thank you for today's recipe, it looks so good. You mention cheese, so when do you add the cheese? Do you sprinkle it on top of the crumbled potato chips?
Thanks again, Kevin for all the hard work you put in getting this newsletter out to us.
Claudine in Fort Worth, TX
Kevin
Thanks, Claudine, yes, sprinkle on top of the crumbled chips!
Gail Plaskiewicz
Oh boy, this sounds so good! I can't wait to make it! Will let you know how we like.
Kevin
good luck with it and enjoy!
Chrissy
Another thought about the name of this dish, a Thank you gift for someone that helped you with something. Friends and neighbors often will not let you pay them for help so a nice casserole like this is a wonderful, tasty gift.
Kevin
Ah, good thought, Chrissy!
Michael Venditte
Hi!
can anyone tell me do you brown the hamburger first before you put it in with the potatoes? I am asking for the hamburger potato chip casserole.please advise and thank you!
Kevin Williams
Yes, brown the hamburger first, I'll add that into the instructions to make more clear. Thanks!