The Cozy Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe Everyone Loves

Hearty hobo casserole grounds beef in a comfort food tradition that warms souls on chilly evenings.

Layers of simple ingredients create a rustic dish packed with flavor and memories.

Home cooks appreciate its straightforward preparation and satisfying results.

Modest pantry staples combine into something magical when mixed with care and creativity.

Budget-friendly meals can taste incredible with the right technique and passion.

Crisp vegetables and savory meat meld together in a one-pan wonder that promises deliciousness.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this classic comfort classic.

Hobo Casserole Ground Beef’s Hearty Goodness

• Spice Up Your Mealtime: Dive into a flavor explosion with crispy fried chicken and zesty street corn packed into one mouthwatering taco that transforms an ordinary meal into a culinary adventure.
• Master Complex Flavors Easily: Break down intimidating recipe steps into simple stages, allowing home cooks of all skill levels to create a restaurant-quality dish without professional training.
• Customize Your Comfort: Adjust spice levels, swap ingredients, or modify toppings to match personal preferences, making this recipe a versatile crowd-pleaser for family dinners or casual gatherings.
• Texture Party in Every Bite: Experience a delightful contrast between crunchy fried chicken, creamy street corn, and tangy ranch sauce that creates an irresistible combination of textures and flavors.

Key Ingredients For Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

• Ground Beef: A hearty base that provides rich flavor and substantial texture to the casserole.

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds creamy, tangy richness and creates a golden, melted topping.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth and creamy consistency in the sauce.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates a creamy, savory base that binds the ingredients together.
• Frozen Hash Browns: Provides a convenient and delicious potato layer for the casserole.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Enhance the overall depth of flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the dish's taste.
• Crushed Potato Chips: Optional topping that adds a satisfying crunch.
• Chopped Onions: Adds aromatic flavor and texture to the ground beef mixture.

Step-By-Step Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

Step 1: Prepare Baking Dish

Grab your trusty 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a light coating of cooking spray or butter. Preheat the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C), getting ready for some serious comfort food magic.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

Fire up a skillet over medium heat and toss in your ground beef with finely chopped onions. Cook until the meat turns a rich brown color and looks totally irresistible.

Carefully drain away any extra grease to keep things light.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Base

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Milk
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together until it creates a smooth, dreamy mixture that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Add Hash Browns

Fold in the frozen hash browns, mixing thoroughly so every bite gets coated with that incredible sauce. The potatoes will soak up all those amazing flavors.

Step 5: Transfer and Top

Slide the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly like a delicious blanket. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese across the top for that irresistible golden finish.

Step 6: Add Crunchy Topping

For extra excitement, scatter some crushed potato chips over the cheese. This will give your casserole an awesome crispy texture that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pop the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for a bubbly, golden-brown masterpiece that smells absolutely incredible.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Let the casserole cool down for a few minutes – this helps it set and makes serving easier. Scoop out generous portions and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement!

Cooking Insights For Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of this comforting casserole.
• Swap frozen hash browns with fresh diced potatoes for a more homemade texture and flavor.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or monterey jack to add unique taste profiles.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and check potato chip ingredients carefully.
• Boost vegetable content by mixing in diced bell peppers or frozen mixed vegetables for extra nutrition and color.

Flavor Alternatives For Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

• Spicy Southwest Hobo Casserole: Add diced green chiles, jalapeños, and taco seasoning for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Mushroom Swiss Upgrade: Replace cheddar with Swiss cheese and add sautéed fresh mushrooms for an earthy flavor profile.
• Veggie Packed Hobo Casserole: Mix in frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, and corn to boost nutritional value and color.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Edition: Substitute hash browns with riced cauliflower for a lighter, keto-friendly alternative that maintains the casserole's hearty essence.

Best Accompaniments For Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

• Serve the casserole in a cast-iron skillet for a rugged, outdoorsy presentation that highlights its hearty roots. Add a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness.
• Place individual portions on warm plates alongside a crisp green salad. Pair with warm dinner rolls to soak up the delicious creamy sauce, creating a complete and satisfying meal that brings everyone together.
• Transfer the casserole to a portable serving dish with a lid for easy transportation. Bring extra crushed potato chips on the side for guests to add their own crunchy topping, making it an interactive and crowd-pleasing dish for gatherings.

Storing Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Correctly

• Transfer leftover casserole to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent other food odors from seeping in.
• Wrap the cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Remove casserole from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Cover with foil and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add a sprinkle of extra cheese on top for renewed flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

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

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The combination of creamy soup, cheese, and potato creates a kid-approved comfort meal that’s easy to eat.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Definitely. Prepare the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use lean ground beef, low-fat cream of mushroom soup, reduced-fat cheese, and bake with a sprinkle of herbs instead of potato chips for a lighter version.

The Best Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Hobo Casserole combines ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables in a comforting one-dish meal. Midwestern home cooking shines through with simple ingredients and straightforward preparation that home chefs will love.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups frozen hash browns
• 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup (4 oz / 113 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup (30 g) crushed potato chips (optional, for topping)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Heat a skillet over medium flame and cook ground beef with diced onions until meat browns and loses its pink color.
3. Drain any accumulated grease from the meat mixture thoroughly.
4. Incorporate cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper into the beef, stirring until ingredients blend smoothly.
5. Gently fold frozen hash browns into the seasoned meat mixture, ensuring even distribution.
6. Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly across the surface.
7. Generously scatter shredded cheddar cheese over the top, covering the entire casserole.
8. For added texture, sprinkle crushed potato chips evenly across the cheese layer.
9. Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.
10. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.

Notes

• Customize the heat level by adjusting spices like adding red pepper flakes or using spicy potato chips for a kick.
• Make it gluten-free by selecting gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensuring potato chips are gluten-free.
• Reduce fat content by using lean ground beef, low-fat cheese, and baking potato chips instead of adding crushed chips on top.
• Boost nutritional value by mixing in frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, or corn during the beef and hash brown combination step.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 358 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 560 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg