Description
Hearty hobo casserole delivers comfort through simple ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables layered in one satisfying dish. Home cooks can quickly prepare this budget-friendly meal that provides warmth and nostalgia with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken)
- 1 bag (32 oz/907 g) frozen tater tots
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese of choice)
- 1 can (10.5 oz/298 g) cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups (480 ml) frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, or choice)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a standard casserole dish for assembly.
- Brown ground beef with diced onions in a large skillet, carefully draining any accumulated fat to prevent sogginess.
- Season the meat mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Transfer the seasoned beef mixture evenly across the bottom of the casserole dish, creating a uniform base layer.
- Distribute frozen mixed vegetables directly over the meat, ensuring complete surface coverage.
- Gently spread cream of mushroom soup across the vegetable layer, creating a smooth, creamy foundation.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the soup, allowing for complete melting during baking.
- Meticulously arrange frozen tater tots in a precise, single layer across the cheese, maximizing crispy potential.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until tater tots transform into golden, crunchy perfection.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a vibrant final touch before serving.
Notes
- Keep meat lean by choosing ground beef with lower fat percentage to reduce excess grease in the casserole.
- Customize vegetable mix by using fresh or seasonal vegetables instead of frozen for enhanced nutrition and flavor.
- Consider gluten-free options by using gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and checking ingredient labels carefully.
- Enhance protein content by adding diced bacon or swapping ground beef with ground turkey for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 434 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg