Description
Hobo Casserole brings comfort right to my dinner table with hearty ground beef, potatoes, and veggies that blend perfectly in one simple dish. Packed with flavor and easy to prepare, this classic meal feeds my whole family without breaking the bank or taking hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (lb) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 3–4 medium russet potatoes
- 1 medium yellow onion
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup milk
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
Seasonings:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Optional: garlic powder
- Optional: paprika
- Optional: Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Crank the oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Grab 1 lb ground beef and sizzle it in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and optional 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Drain the beef using a colander, discarding excess grease, and transfer meat to a clean plate.
- Peel 3-4 medium russet potatoes and slice them ¼-inch thick. Spread these slices across the bottom of your baking dish in an overlapping, uniform layer.
- Slice 1 medium yellow onion into thin rings and distribute them evenly across the potato layer.
- Scatter the seasoned ground beef over the onions, creating a consistent meat layer.
- Whisk 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup with ½ cup milk until smooth. Pour this creamy mixture across the entire casserole surface.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Seal the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil during the last 10 minutes to allow cheese to turn golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Check potato slices for even thickness to ensure consistent cooking throughout the casserole.
- Ground beef works best when browned completely and seasoned generously with herbs like thyme or rosemary.
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease from making the casserole soggy and heavy.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey and use low-fat cream of mushroom soup for a healthier alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg