The Best Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe Everyone Will Love

Comfort meets creativity in this hearty hobo casserole ground beef recipe that promises to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Layers of savory ingredients come together in a simple yet delicious one-pan meal.

Hearty ground beef mingles with tender vegetables and a rich sauce that will make mouths water.

Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot more exciting with this budget-friendly classic.

Home cooks can easily assemble this dish with pantry staples and minimal preparation time.

Minimal effort delivers maximum flavor in every single bite.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe and make it a regular rotation in your meal planning.

The Best Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Uncovered

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with hearty ground beef, creamy soup, and cheesy goodness, this casserole delivers ultimate satisfaction for hungry families and friends.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Straightforward layering technique requires basic cooking skills, making it perfect for home cooks of all experience levels who want a delicious meal without complicated steps.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and pantry staples, creating a filling dinner that stretches your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor.
• One-Dish Wonder: Combines protein, vegetables, and cheese in a single baking dish, reducing cleanup time and simplifying meal preparation for busy households.

Ingredients For Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful meat that forms the core of this comforting casserole.

• Onion: Adds a sweet and aromatic base to enhance the ground beef's flavor.
• Potatoes: Provide a creamy and substantial texture to the casserole.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates a rich and creamy sauce that binds the ingredients together.
• Milk: Helps to thin and smooth out the soup mixture for even distribution.
• Cheddar Cheese: Delivers a sharp, melty topping that adds a golden and crispy finish to the casserole.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Additional Seasonings: Can include herbs or spices to personalize the flavor profile of the dish.

How To Make Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready by setting it to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the perfect cooking temperature for a delicious casserole.

Step 2: Brown the Meat and Onions

In a large skillet, start cooking the ground beef and onions over medium heat. Break up the beef as it cooks, making sure it turns a nice golden brown color.

Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you love to boost the flavor.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Soup Base

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Milk

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Layer the First Potato Level

• Sliced potatoes
• Half of the cooked beef mixture

Step 5: Add the First Soup Layer

Pour half of the creamy soup mixture evenly over the first layer of potatoes and beef.

Step 6: Repeat the Layering

• Potatoes
• Beef mixture
• Soup mixture

Step 7: Bake the Casserole

Cover the dish with foil and place in the preheated oven.

Bake for 45 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together.

Step 8: Cheese and Final Bake

Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.

Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.

This helps the layers set and makes it easier to dish out. Enjoy your hearty and delicious meal!

Tips For Hobo Casserole Success

• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier dish.
• Experiment with different potato varieties like Yukon gold or red potatoes for unique textures and flavors.
• Add diced bell peppers or mushrooms to boost vegetable content and enhance nutritional value.
• Substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or homemade white sauce for dietary preferences.
• Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.

Alternative Takes On Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

• Vegetarian Hobo Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, maintaining the same layering technique and seasonings for a meat-free version.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Option: Swap potatoes with thinly sliced cauliflower to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the creamy, cheesy texture.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Incorporate feta cheese, add oregano and diced bell peppers, and use Greek yogurt instead of milk for a Mediterranean flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions For Hobo Casserole

• Comfort Chow Down: Perfect for family dinners, this hearty casserole brings warmth and satisfaction to the table.
• Potluck Champion: Bring this crowd-pleasing dish to gatherings and watch it disappear quickly, with everyone asking for the recipe.
• Weeknight Warrior Meal: Minimal prep and simple ingredients make this casserole a lifesaver for busy families looking for a delicious, no-fuss dinner option.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining casserole into next-day lunch by pairing with a fresh green salad or reheating for a quick, satisfying meal.

Storing Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Correctly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer casserole to a shallow, sealed container to help it cool quickly and prevent bacterial growth.
• Always use clean utensils when handling and storing leftovers to maintain food safety.

FAQs

• What ingredients can I substitute if I don't have cream of mushroom soup?

You can use cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, or make a homemade white sauce with butter, flour, and milk as an alternative base for the casserole.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to the point of baking, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

• Is this recipe budget-friendly?

Absolutely! Hobo casserole uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and canned soup, making it an economical meal that feeds a family without breaking the bank.

Hearty Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Hobo Casserole delivers comfort through layers of ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables. Rich flavors combine in one-pan simplicity for a satisfying meal you will crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables:

• 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 small onion, chopped

Dairy and Seasonings:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Seasonings:

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375F (190C) for optimal cooking temperature.
2. Sauté ground beef with chopped onions in a skillet over medium heat, browning meat thoroughly and seasoning with salt, pepper, and preferred spices.
3. Whisk cream of mushroom soup with milk until creating a smooth, uniform consistency.
4. Prepare a greased casserole dish by creating the first foundational layer of sliced potatoes, ensuring even coverage across the bottom.
5. Distribute half of the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly over the potato layer.
6. Drizzle approximately half of the creamy soup mixture across the beef layer, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Repeat layering process with remaining potatoes, ground beef, and soup mixture, creating a complete and balanced casserole structure.
8. Securely cover the dish with aluminum foil to trap moisture and heat during initial baking.
9. Bake covered for 45 minutes, allowing potatoes to soften and flavors to meld together.
10. Remove foil and generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the casserole surface.
11. Return to oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
12. Allow casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving, enabling flavors to settle and making portioning easier.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the casserole.
• Swap cream of mushroom soup with homemade white sauce for a fresher, less processed alternative.
• Add diced bell peppers or carrots for extra nutrition and color to the dish.
• For a gluten-free option, use cornstarch instead of traditional flour and choose gluten-free cream soup or make a homemade cream sauce.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 418 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg