Description
Hearty hobo casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to family dinner tables with its savory blend of ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables. Rustic layers of simple ingredients create a wholesome meal that connects generations through delicious, home-style cooking you’ll cherish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 pounds ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
Dairy, Seasonings, and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy serving and cleanup.
- In a large skillet, thoroughly brown ground beef with diced onions, carefully draining excess fat to maintain a rich flavor profile without unnecessary grease.
- Incorporate minced garlic, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, allowing the ingredients to develop a complex and robust taste.
- Create the first layer of the casserole by arranging thinly sliced potatoes as a hearty base, ensuring even distribution across the baking dish.
- Evenly spread the seasoned beef mixture over the potato layer, creating a substantial and flavorful foundation for the casserole.
- Distribute frozen vegetables across the beef layer, adding color, nutrition, and textural contrast to the dish.
- Gently pour the creamy soup mixture over the entire casserole, ensuring complete coverage and moisture throughout the layers.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, creating a luxurious and appetizing golden surface.
- For an extra crispy texture, combine breadcrumbs with melted butter and delicately scatter over the cheese layer.
- Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and the potatoes to become tender.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the casserole is heated through completely.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving, allowing the layers to set and flavors to intensify.
Notes
- Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease that could make the dish soggy and heavy.
- Consider using lean ground beef (90/10) for a healthier version without sacrificing rich flavor.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or smoked gouda to elevate the dish’s taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg