Easy Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Crafting a hearty hobo casserole with ground beef promises a delightful meal that brings comfort to your table.

Layers of savory ingredients create a satisfying one-dish wonder perfect for busy nights.

Home cooks appreciate how simple this recipe becomes with minimal prep work.

Affordable and filling, each bite delivers rich flavors that remind you of classic comfort food.

Pantry staples combine effortlessly to produce a crowd-pleasing dinner solution.

Nutritious and budget-friendly, this casserole helps you feed hungry people without spending hours in the kitchen.

Warm up your evening with this no-fuss, delicious meal that everyone will love.

How to Store Hobo Casserole Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring to storage containers.
• Avoid leaving the dish at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in Hobo Casserole?

Ground beef, potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and cheddar cheese are the main ingredients that create the hearty and comforting flavor of this classic dish.

• Is this recipe budget-friendly?

Yes, Hobo Casserole is known for being an affordable meal that uses simple, inexpensive ingredients while still delivering a satisfying and delicious dinner for the whole family.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! 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 directly from the refrigerator.

Best Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef

• Simplify Meal Prep: Quickly assemble this hearty casserole with basic ingredients found in most kitchen pantries, making dinner planning a breeze.
• Comfort Food Champion: Packed with savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese, this dish delivers ultimate comfort and satisfaction for the whole family.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses affordable ingredients like ground beef and canned soup, creating a delicious meal that won't break the bank while feeding multiple hungry mouths.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup required with this single-dish recipe that combines protein, potatoes, and cheese into a complete, delightful dinner solution.

Ingredients for Hobo Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the core of this comforting casserole.
• Potatoes: Sliced potatoes create a satisfying base layer for the dish.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Provides a creamy and rich binding element for the casserole.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds a delicious melty topping with sharp flavor.

• Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Essential spices that enhance the overall flavor of the ground beef.

• Olive Oil: Helps to sauté the onions and prevent sticking.
• Onion: Adds a sweet and aromatic base to the ground beef mixture.

How to Prepare Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef

Step 1: Prep the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready for the delicious magic about to happen.

Step 2: Sauté the Onions

Warm up some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Toss in diced onions and cook until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet aroma.

Step 3: Brown the Beef

Add ground beef to the skillet and break it up with a spatula.

Cook until the meat turns a rich brown color, ensuring no pink remains. Carefully drain away any excess fat.

Step 4: Season the Meat

• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir well to distribute the seasonings evenly throughout the meat.

Step 5: Create the First Potato Layer

Grab a baking dish and give it a light greasing.

Spread out a generous layer of sliced potatoes across the bottom, creating a hearty base.

Step 6: Add the First Beef Layer

Spoon half of the seasoned ground beef mixture over the potato layer, creating a delicious meaty blanket.

Step 7: Pour the Creamy Soup

Drizzle half of the cream of mushroom soup evenly across the beef, adding a rich, creamy element to the casserole.

Step 8: Build the Second Layer

• Remaining potato slices
• Remaining ground beef
• Remaining cream of mushroom soup

Step 9: Cheese Topping

Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese over the top, creating a golden, melty crown.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes until the cheese turns bubbly and golden brown.

Step 11: Rest and Serve

Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

Scoop out generous portions and enjoy the comforting, hearty flavors!

Tips to Boost Hobo Casserole Flavor

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner protein option.
• Drain meat thoroughly to prevent excess grease and maintain a crispy casserole texture.
• Add frozen mixed vegetables between layers for extra nutrition and color boost.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or Swiss for unique flavor profiles.
• Use low-sodium cream of mushroom soup to control salt intake and enhance overall dish healthiness.

Flavor Variations for Hobo Casserole

• Veggie Lover's Swap: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or chopped mushrooms for a vegetarian version that keeps the hearty texture and flavor.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Edition: Substitute potato slices with thinly sliced cauliflower to reduce carbohydrates while maintaining the casserole's creamy consistency.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chiles, swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle cumin and chili powder to give the casserole a zesty southwestern profile.

What Complements Hobo Casserole

• Comfort Meal Companion: Serve this hearty casserole with a crisp green salad tossed in tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, meaty flavors.
• Rustic Dinner Delight: Pair with buttered dinner rolls or crusty bread to soak up the creamy mushroom sauce and capture every delicious bite.
• Weekend Family Feast: Add steamed broccoli or roasted seasonal vegetables on the side to create a complete, nutritious meal that everyone will enjoy.
• Leftover Magic: Reheat individual portions the next day for a quick lunch, or transform remaining casserole into a savory stuffing for bell peppers or zucchini boats.

Delicious Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty hobo casserole combines ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables in one satisfying dish. Comfort food from American kitchens delivers warmth and robust flavors you will savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Vegetables:

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

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 375F (190C), ensuring optimal cooking temperature.
2. In a skillet warmed with olive oil, sauté diced onions until they turn translucent and tender.
3. Introduce ground beef to the skillet, browning thoroughly and carefully eliminating excess grease.
4. Enhance the meat’s flavor profile by seasoning with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
5. Prepare a baking dish with a light grease coating to prevent sticking.
6. Create the first foundation layer using half of the sliced potatoes across the dish’s bottom.
7. Distribute an even layer of the seasoned ground beef mixture atop the potato base.
8. Cascade half of the cream of mushroom soup uniformly over the beef layer.
9. Reconstruct the layering process with remaining potato slices, creating a second tier.
10. Add the remaining ground beef mixture as the next substantial stratum.
11. Complete the layering sequence by pouring the remaining cream of mushroom soup.
12. Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the casserole’s surface.
13. Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
14. Uncover the dish, allowing the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling crust during the final 15 minutes of baking.
15. Allow the casserole to rest and slightly cool before serving to help set the layers and enhance flavor melding.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter version that accommodates different dietary preferences.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the beef mixture, which brings depth and aromatic richness to the casserole.
• For a crispy top layer, sprinkle breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over the cheese before the final baking stage, creating a delightful textural contrast.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and selecting reduced-fat cheese, making the dish more heart-healthy without sacrificing taste.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg