Easy Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe: A Cozy Family Favorite

Crafting a hearty hobo casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table.

Layers of savory ground beef combine with simple ingredients for a budget-friendly meal.

Rustic and filling, this dish speaks to home-style cooking traditions.

Pantry staples dance together in one delicious skillet creation.

Weeknight dinners need not be complicated or expensive to taste amazing.

Affordable and satisfying, this recipe connects you to classic home cooking techniques.

You’ll find yourself returning to this crowd-pleasing casserole time and again.

Hobo Casserole Ground Beef: Down-Home Flavor In Every Bite

• Quick Weeknight Winner: Whips up a hearty, comforting meal in under an hour with minimal kitchen effort.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and canned soup to create a filling dinner without breaking the bank.
• Family Crowd-Pleaser: Delivers classic comfort food that appeals to both kids and adults with its cheesy, creamy texture and familiar flavors.
• One-Pan Simplicity: Requires minimal cleanup with a single baking dish, making it perfect for busy families and tired home cooks who want delicious food without extensive kitchen work.

Hobo Ground Beef Casserole Full Ingredient List

• Ground Beef: The star protein that provides hearty flavor and substance, ideally 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for best taste.
• Milk: Helps create creamy texture and adds richness to the casserole.

• Potatoes: Starchy base that offers comfort and substance, best when thinly sliced for even cooking.
• Onion: Adds depth of flavor and subtle sweetness to the dish.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates creamy base and adds umami flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Provides melty, sharp taste and helps bind ingredients.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create golden-brown top.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced taste.
• Parsley or Chives (Optional): Fresh herbs for garnish and bright color.

Steps for Making Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Baking Dish

Warm up your oven to 375°F.

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and generously coat it with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown The Beef And Onions

Toss ground beef and chopped onions into a sizzling skillet.

Cook over medium heat, breaking up the meat and stirring occasionally.

• Salt
• Black pepper

Drain away any extra fat once the meat turns nicely browned.

Step 3: Create Creamy Soup Mixture

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Whole milk

Blend until the mixture looks smooth and silky.

Step 4: Build The Casserole Layers

Arrange thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom of the baking dish in an even layer.

Spread the cooked beef mixture directly over the potatoes.

Step 5: Add Creamy Soup Topping

Pour the prepared soup mixture evenly across the beef and potatoes, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 6: Initial Baking

Cover the dish completely with aluminum foil.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.

Step 7: Cheese And Final Bake

Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the top.

Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes.

Optionally garnish with fresh parsley or chives.

Serve piping hot and watch everyone dig in!

Hobo Casserole With Ground Beef That Layers Beautifully

• Remove as much grease as possible from ground beef to prevent a soggy casserole and ensure a crisp, appetizing texture.
• Slice potatoes uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the dish.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack, monterey jack, or a blend to add unique flavor profiles and personal flair.
• Substitute lean ground beef, use low-fat cream of mushroom soup, and skim milk for a healthier version without compromising taste.
• Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach between potato and beef layers to increase vegetable content and nutritional value.

Store Hobo Casserole And Warm For Hearty Meals

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer casserole to freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freezes perfectly for up to 2 months.
• Warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until heated completely through. Avoid repeated reheating to maintain texture and flavor.

Best Sides for Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: A robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot complements the rich ground beef and creamy sauce, cutting through the dish's hearty flavors.
• Serve with Crisp Side Salad: Create a light green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the casserole's heavy texture and add fresh, zesty contrast.
• Match with Craft Beer: Choose a malty amber ale or medium-bodied lager that enhances the savory beef and cheesy topping without overwhelming the meal.
• Accompany with Pickled Vegetables: Quick pickled cucumbers or tangy dill pickles provide a sharp, acidic counterpoint to the creamy, comforting casserole.

Ground Beef Hobo Casserole with Filling Ideas

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace cream of mushroom soup with homemade gluten-free cream soup using cornstarch and dairy-free milk alternatives. Use gluten-free potato slices and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Swap potatoes with cauliflower or turnip slices to reduce carbohydrate content. Use full-fat cream and low-carb cheese for a keto-friendly adaptation.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils. Choose vegetable broth-based cream soup and add extra mushrooms for robust flavor and texture.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Spin: Incorporate Mediterranean herbs like oregano and thyme. Replace cheddar with crumbled feta cheese. Add sliced black olives and diced bell peppers for Mediterranean flair.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground pork for a different flavor profile.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The simple ingredients and cheesy topping make this casserole a hit with children. It’s comfort food that most kids enjoy.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole in advance and refrigerate it before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.

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

You can replace it with cream of chicken soup or make a homemade white sauce using butter, flour, and milk as an alternative.

Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty hobo casserole delights families with its simple, comforting layers of ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables. Rustic midwestern charm meets easy weeknight dinner, promising warm satisfaction and tasty memories you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Starch and Vegetables:

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

Dairy and Seasoning Components:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: parsley or chives for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm the culinary workspace to 375°F and lightly coat a rectangular baking vessel with cooking spray to prevent adherence.
2. Transform raw ground beef and finely chopped onions into a golden-brown medley within a skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper, then carefully eliminate any lingering fat deposits.
3. Create a silky binding sauce by whisking cream of mushroom soup with milk until achieving a uniform, luxurious consistency.
4. Construct the initial foundation by arranging thinly sliced potatoes in an elegant, overlapping pattern across the baking dish’s base.
5. Distribute the seasoned meat mixture uniformly atop the potato landscape, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Cascade the creamy soup mixture over the meat and potatoes, gently spreading to guarantee comprehensive distribution.
7. Encase the entire dish with aluminum protection and slide into the preheated oven, allowing ingredients to meld and potatoes to tenderize for 40 minutes.
8. Reveal the casserole, adorn with a generous blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, and return to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a molten, golden canopy.
9. Permit the casserole a brief moment to settle, optionally garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives, then serve while still radiating warmth.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains delicious flavor profiles.
• Use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes to boost nutritional value and add a subtle sweetness to the casserole.
• Cut potatoes super thin for faster cooking and more even texture throughout the dish, ensuring every bite is perfectly tender and delicious.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella or pepper jack to customize the flavor and make the casserole more exciting for adventurous eaters.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 425
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg