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