1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
3. Season the beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
4. Spread the frozen hash browns evenly in the prepared baking dish.
5. Layer the cooked ground beef over the hash browns.
6. In a bowl, mix together the cheddar cheese soup, milk, ketchup, and mustard until smooth. Pour this mixture over the beef and potatoes.
7. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top, covering the casserole completely.
8. If using, scatter the chopped pickles over the cheese.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
10. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the cheesy goodness!

Pro tip: My kids love a little extra crunch, so sometimes I crush some potato chips and sprinkle them on top before baking. It’s a hit every time!