Description
Easy Hobo Casserole is a comforting layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, and a creamy mushroom soup base topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, this classic American casserole is simple to prepare and budget-friendly, offering rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cups thinly sliced potatoes (about 3 medium)
Soup Mixture
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings and Other
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat and Grease: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat to keep the casserole from being greasy.
- Prepare Soup Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Layer the Casserole: Start by layering half of the thinly sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Next, evenly spread half of the cooked ground beef and onion mixture over the potatoes. Pour half of the soup mixture on top to cover.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat this layering process with the remaining sliced potatoes, cooked beef and onions, and soup mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50–60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole, and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to let the layers set and make it easier to cut and serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of cheddar or cream of onion soup.
- Add sliced mushrooms or frozen mixed vegetables to the beef layer to increase vegetable content and add variety.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking, making it a convenient option for meal prep.
