Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
- What You'll Need
- How to Make Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
- Aliana's Top Tip
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- What to Serve With Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
- FAQs About Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Easy Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe
- Pairing
- More DINNER
This hobo casserole ground beef is the kind of dinner that feels like a warm hug after a long day. Layers of seasoned beef, sliced potatoes, melted cheese, and simple seasonings all baked together in one dish. My grandmother used to make something similar when I was little, and the smell of it baking still brings back the best memories
It's filling, budget friendly, and the whole family loves it. No fancy ingredients, no complicated steps, just good old fashioned comfort food that hits the spot every time.
Why You'll Love This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
This is the best hobo casserole ground beef because it's incredibly easy and feeds a crowd without breaking the bank. Everything cooks in one dish, which means less cleanup and more time with your family. My husband says it reminds him of classic hotdish recipes from his childhood, and my kids clean their plates every single time.
It's got layers of flavor, gooey cheese, and tender potatoes that soak up all the savory goodness. Plus, this ground beef casserole is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or anytime you need a hearty dinner fast. You can make it ahead, freeze it, or throw it together last minute.
What You'll Need
Just grab some everyday ingredients and you're ready to go. This is true comfort food made with simple pantry staples that won't cost you a fortune.
Main Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Russet potatoes
- Onion
- Garlic
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Beef broth
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika
- Fresh parsley
Optional Extras
You can add sliced carrots for extra veggies, swap cheddar for mozzarella if that's what you have, or throw in some frozen green beans for color.
Everything you need to make hobo casserole is in the card.
How to Make Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
Brown the Beef
Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease.
Season the Meat
Stir in salt, pepper, and paprika to season the beef mixture. This simple seasoning brings out all the savory flavors without overwhelming the dish. My mom always said good seasoning makes all the difference.
Slice the Potatoes
Peel and thinly slice russet potatoes into rounds about ¼ inch thick. Thin slices cook faster and more evenly, giving you tender potatoes throughout the casserole.
Layer the Casserole
Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer half the sliced potatoes on the bottom, then add the seasoned ground beef mixture, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining potato slices.
Q: Can I use a different type of potato?
Russet potatoes work best because they hold their shape and get tender without turning mushy. Yukon gold potatoes also work, but avoid red potatoes as they can get too watery in casseroles.
Add the Sauce
Mix cream of mushroom soup with beef broth and pour it evenly over the top of the casserole. This creates a creamy sauce that keeps everything moist and flavorful as it bakes.
Top with Cheese
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the entire casserole. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for about an hour until the potatoes are fork tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Finish and Serve
Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to let the cheese get golden and slightly crispy on top. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve this easy hamburger casserole hot straight from the oven.
Aliana's Top Tip
Slice your potatoes as evenly as possible so they all cook at the same rate.
A mandoline slicer makes this super easy if you have one.
Also, don't skip the step of covering the casserole with foil for the first hour.
This traps the steam and helps the potatoes cook through without drying out the top.
Remove the foil at the end for that perfect golden cheese crust everyone loves.
Follow Aliana on Pinterest →Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version. Swap cream of mushroom soup for cream of celery or cream of chicken. Add frozen mixed vegetables to bulk it up and sneak in more nutrition. For a spicier kick, add some diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store leftover hobo casserole covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or reheat the whole dish covered in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes. This ground beef casserole freezes beautifully too. Just wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What to Serve With Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
This hobo casserole ground beef is hearty enough to serve on its own, but it pairs great with a simple green salad, steamed green beans, or dinner rolls on the side. We usually serve it with garlic bread and a veggie to round out the meal. It's perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or feeding a hungry crowd on game day.
FAQs About Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it's going in cold.
What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup?
Make a simple white sauce with butter, flour, and milk, or use cream of chicken or cream of celery soup. Any creamy condensed soup works in a pinch.
How do I know when the casserole is done?
The potatoes should be fork tender when pierced with a knife, and the cheese should be melted and bubbly. If the potatoes aren't tender after an hour, cover and bake longer.
Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely. Sliced carrots, green beans, corn, or peas all work great. Just add them with the beef layer so they cook through properly.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you love hearty, budget friendly dinners like this, you'll want to try more of my easy casserole recipes and ground beef casserole recipes that feed the whole family. This hobo casserole fits perfectly in the Dinner recipes and casserole recipes categories where you'll find tons of comfort food favorites. Try my Hamburger Potato Casserole for another easy option, or my Ground Beef Casserole when you want something equally satisfying.
Made it your way? I'd love to see it! Tag @AlianaRecipes on Pinterest and show off your delicious version.
Easy Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Add diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in salt, black pepper, and paprika to season the beef mixture. Mix well so all the meat is evenly seasoned with the spices.
- Peel russet potatoes and slice them into thin rounds about ¼ inch thick. Try to keep them uniform so they cook evenly throughout the casserole.
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer half the sliced potatoes on the bottom, then spread the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly over them. Top with remaining potato slices.
- Mix cream of mushroom soup with beef broth in a bowl. Pour this mixture evenly over the entire casserole to create a creamy sauce that keeps everything moist.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 60 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Nutrition
Notes
Pairing
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