Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes

Imagine the irresistible aroma of seasoned Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes wafting through your kitchen, as layers of tender potatoes and savory ground beef meld together under a golden, crispy cheese topping. This humble yet hearty dish has been comforting families for generations with its simple ingredients and soul-satisfying flavors. The beauty of this Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes lies in its straightforward preparation and incredible depth of flavor. You’ll learn how to transform everyday ingredients into a memorable meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes is the ultimate comfort food that combines convenience with incredible flavor. This unpretentious dish delivers a delightful contrast of textures—tender sliced potatoes, juicy seasoned ground beef, and that irresistible crispy cheese topping that forms in the oven. It’s budget-friendly, using economical ingredients that most home cooks already have on hand.

What makes this casserole truly special is its versatility. You can prepare it ahead of time for busy weeknights or bring it to potlucks where it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. The robust flavors develop beautifully as the ingredients cook together, creating a harmonious blend that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or discerning food lovers, this ground beef potato bake strikes the perfect balance between simple and satisfying.

Ingredients

For this classic Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes, you’ll need:

• 1 lb (454g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio works best)
• 2 lbs (900g) russet potatoes, thinly sliced (about ¼-inch thickness)
• 1 large onion (about 1 cup/160g), diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
• 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (10.5 oz/298g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup (120ml) milk
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil or butter
• Optional: ¼ cup (25g) bread crumbs for extra crispy topping

Russet potatoes are ideal for their starchy texture that helps bind the casserole together. For the cheese, sharp cheddar provides the best flavor punch, but you can use a combination of your favorites for more complexity.

Pro Tips

Perfect Potato Preparation: The key to a well-textured Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes is slicing your potatoes uniformly. Aim for ¼-inch thickness—any thinner and they’ll turn mushy, any thicker and they won’t cook through properly. Using a mandoline slicer ensures consistency, but a sharp knife works well too. For even cooking, parboil the potato slices for 5 minutes before assembling the casserole to ensure they’ll be perfectly tender when the meat is done.

Seasoning Strategy: Building flavor in layers transforms this simple casserole into something spectacular. Season the ground beef thoroughly while browning, but don’t stop there—add a light sprinkle of salt and pepper between layers as you build the casserole. This ensures every bite is well-seasoned, not just the meat component. The Worcestershire sauce adds umami depth, so don’t skip it!

Achieving the Perfect Crust: For that coveted golden, slightly crispy top that makes Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes irresistible, uncover the casserole during the final 15 minutes of baking. For an even more impressive finish, broil for 2-3 minutes at the very end, watching carefully to prevent burning. This creates a beautiful crust while keeping the interior moist and flavorful.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Wash and slice your potatoes to about ¼-inch thickness, keeping them in cold water to prevent browning if you’re not using them immediately. Dice your onion and bell pepper, and mince the garlic. Having everything ready makes the assembly process smooth and efficient.

Step 2: Brown the Meat Mixture
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Now add your ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary (leave a little for flavor). Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika, then stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Add the chopped bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes. The meat should be flavorful but not completely dry.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Element
In a bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth. This creates the creamy binding sauce that will bring your Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes together. The consistency should be pourable but not too thin.

Step 4: Layer Your Casserole
Start by spreading a thin layer of the soup mixture on the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Arrange half of the potato slices in an overlapping pattern. Top with half of the ground beef mixture, then pour half of the remaining soup mixture over it. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat these layers, finishing with the remaining cheese on top. For an extra crispy finish, sprinkle bread crumbs over the cheese if desired.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the top is golden and bubbly. Let your Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes rest for 10-15 minutes before serving—this helps the layers set and makes serving much easier.

Variations

Loaded Potato Hobo Casserole: Transform your Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes into a loaded baked potato experience by adding ½ cup of cooked and crumbled bacon to the beef mixture. After baking, top with a dollop of sour cream, sliced green onions, and extra cheese for a decadent twist that captures all the flavors of a loaded baked potato with the heartiness of the original casserole.

Tex-Mex Version: Give your casserole a southwestern kick by replacing the oregano and paprika with 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning in the beef mixture. Add a can of drained black beans, ½ cup of corn kernels, and use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. Serve with avocado slices, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for a delicious Mexican-inspired ground beef and potato bake that will spice up your dinner routine.

Vegetarian Adaptation: For a meatless option, substitute the ground beef with 2 cups of cooked lentils or 16 oz of plant-based ground meat alternative. Increase the vegetables by adding 8 oz of sliced mushrooms and 1 cup of grated carrots to the onion mixture. The earthy flavors of the lentils and mushrooms provide a satisfying umami base that even meat-lovers will appreciate.

Storage and Serving

Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes is the gift that keeps on giving! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as they meld together, making it perfect for meal prep. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

For serving, pair this hearty casserole with a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette to cut through the richness. For a complete comfort food experience, serve alongside buttered corn on the cob or steamed green beans with a sprinkle of almonds. For an extra special presentation, top each serving with a small dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or chives to add brightness to this satisfying potato and beef dish.

FAQs

Can I prepare Hobo Casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking, and add an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.

My casserole seems watery. What went wrong?
This usually happens if the potatoes release too much moisture. Try parboiling and draining the potatoes first, or toss the raw sliced potatoes with 1 tablespoon of flour before layering to help absorb excess moisture.

Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, you can freeze it either before or after baking. If freezing unbaked, thaw completely in the refrigerator before baking. If freezing after baking, thaw and reheat covered at 350°F for about 30 minutes until heated through.

What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup?
You can use cream of chicken or celery soup, or make a simple white sauce with 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, and 1½ cups milk, seasoned with salt and pepper.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner option. Since it has less fat, consider adding an extra tablespoon of oil or butter when browning to maintain moisture and flavor.

Conclusion

This Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes is comfort food at its finest — a humble yet satisfying blend of crispy-topped potatoes, savory seasoned beef, and gooey cheese that creates the ultimate one-dish meal. It’s the kind of dish that brings families together around the dinner table and conjures feelings of home, no matter where you’re enjoying it. Whether you’re serving it on a busy weeknight or bringing it to a potluck gathering, this unpretentious casserole proves that the most meaningful food doesn’t have to be complicated—just made with care and good ingredients.

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