Description
This easy and hearty hobo casserole recipe is packed with flavor! A comforting, cheesy dish made with simple ingredients—perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
Base Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 cup crushed buttery crackers or seasoned panko breadcrumbs (for a crispy topping)
- 2 tbsp butter, melted (for topping)
Optional Additions for Extra Flavor:
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (for a little heat)
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
- 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
Step 1 – Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Thinly slice the potatoes and dice the onion.
Step 2 – Cooking Process
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and sauté the diced onion until translucent, then add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika for extra flavor.
- In a bowl, mix cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth.
- Arrange a layer of thinly sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.
- Spread half of the cooked ground beef mixture over the potatoes.
- Pour half of the soup mixture on top and sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining potatoes, beef, and soup mixture.
- Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
- Mix crushed crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole.
- Tightly cover the dish with foil and bake for approximately 45 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until the top is golden and crispy.
Step 3 – Final Touch & Serving
- Allow the hobo casserole recipe to rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving to let the flavors meld.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions for extra flavor.
- Serve warm and enjoy with a side of steamed vegetables, a fresh salad, or crusty bread.
- Pair with a light soup or coleslaw for a complete meal.
- Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, or freeze them for up to three months for future meals.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add sour cream or cream cheese to the soup mixture.
- Use frozen hash browns instead of sliced potatoes for quicker prep.
- For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or sausage for a different flavor.
- Make it cheesy! Add an extra layer of cheese in the middle for ultimate gooeyness.
- Double the recipe and freeze half for later. Simply reheat in the oven.
Keywords: hobo casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy potato casserole, easy comfort food, budget-friendly casserole, creamy beef and potato bake, family casserole recipe, freezer-friendly meals