Hobo Casserole
A hearty and budget-friendly ground beef casserole layered with potatoes, vegetables, and cheese, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced Ensure they are thinly sliced for even cooking.
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup Can substitute with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
- ½ cup milk The ratio should be measured to avoid excess liquid.
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese Can swap with mozzarella or a dairy-free alternative.
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional) For garnish.
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted For greasing the baking dish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9x13 baking dish with melted butter.
Cooking the Ground Beef
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the meat is browned and the onions are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Drain excess fat.
Seasoning
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the beef mixture. Stir well to combine.
Layering the Ingredients
- Spread half of the sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the cooked ground beef mixture over the potatoes.
- Spread the remaining sliced potatoes over the beef mixture.
Mixing the Sauce
- In a bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup and milk. Stir until smooth, then pour the mixture over the layered ingredients.
Adding Cheese
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of the casserole.
Baking
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Cooling
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For crispy potatoes, consider broiling the casserole for a couple of minutes once it’s done baking. Make sure to slice the potatoes thinly for even cooking. You can assemble the casserole a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake.