Description
Hobo Casserole is the ultimate comfort food – a hearty one-pan meal with ground beef, potatoes, and a creamy, cheesy sauce baked until bubbly and golden. It’s budget-friendly, cozy, and endlessly adaptable for weeknights.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (10.75 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 can (10.75 oz) cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp black pepper
4–5 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (1/4 inch thick)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Optional: 1 cup mixed frozen vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Cook ground beef and onion in a skillet until beef is browned and onion soft, about 7–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. Add minced garlic to skillet and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
4. In a bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, milk, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
5. Layer half of the potatoes in the baking dish.
6. Spread cooked beef mixture over potatoes. Add optional mixed veggies if using.
7. Pour half of the soup mixture over meat and potatoes.
8. Top with remaining potatoes, then pour remaining soup mixture evenly.
9. Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese on top.
10. Cover with foil and bake 60 minutes until potatoes are tender.
11. Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and bake 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
12. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Mix in bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach for extra veggies.
Try different cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or provolone.
Add smoked paprika for a rich, smoky flavor.
Swap in sweet potatoes for a sweet and colorful twist.
Use ground sausage, mushrooms, or lentils for a variation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 80 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: hobo casserole, ground beef, potatoes, creamy bake, comfort food, one-pan dinner, cheesy casserole