Description
Hearty hobo casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to dinner tables with its rustic charm. Ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables meld together in a simple, satisfying one-dish meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (150 grams) onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) garlic, minced
- 5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Dairy and Sauces:
- 1 can (10.7 ounces / 303 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.7 ounces / 303 grams) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (12 ounces / 340 grams) evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheese
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious baking vessel with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring complete surface coverage.
- Sauté ground beef in a skillet over moderate heat until thoroughly browned, developing rich caramelized flavors.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into the meat, continuing to cook until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Season the meat mixture with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Create a foundational layer of thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming a uniform base.
- Distribute the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly atop the potato layer, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
- Whisk together condensed mushroom soup, condensed chicken soup, evaporated milk, and regular milk in a separate mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently cascade the creamy soup mixture over the meat and potato layers, allowing it to seep between ingredients.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the top, creating a melty, golden-brown blanket.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and transfer to a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven.
- Bake covered for 45 minutes, then remove foil to allow cheese to develop a beautiful golden crust.
- Continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until cheese becomes bubbling and slightly crisp.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for several minutes, permitting flavors to meld and settle before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier, leaner protein option that reduces saturated fat intake.
- Add diced bell peppers or zucchini into the beef mixture to boost vegetable content and enhance nutritional value without changing core recipe flavor.
- Use low-sodium cream soups and reduced-fat cheese to make this comfort dish more heart-friendly and diet-conscious while maintaining delicious taste.
- Prepare casserole ahead of time and refrigerate unbaked, which allows flavors to meld and makes weeknight dinner preparation faster and easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 970 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg