Description
This classic Hobo Casserole recipe combines seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, creamy soups, and melted Colby Jack cheese into a delicious and comforting baked dish. Topped with crispy fried onions and garnished with fresh herbs, it’s a hearty meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon all purpose seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Vegetables & Cheese
- 4 medium yellow potatoes
- 8 oz Colby Jack cheese, freshly grated
- Optional: Green onions or parsley for garnish
Soup Mixture
- 10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 10 ounce can cream of celery soup
- ⅓ cup milk
Toppings
- ½ cup French’s fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the casserole.
- Cook the beef: Place the ground beef in a lightly greased 10-inch cast iron skillet or casserole dish. Break it apart and cook over medium heat until nicely browned and fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare potatoes: Peel the potatoes and slice them into thin, even slices to ensure they cook evenly. Layer these slices directly on top of the cooked ground beef in the dish.
- Add cheese: Evenly sprinkle the freshly grated Colby Jack cheese over the potato layer to add rich, melty flavor.
- Mix soup base: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, milk, all-purpose seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble casserole: Spoon the soup mixture evenly over the cheese layer, spreading it with the back of a spoon to cover thoroughly.
- Bake: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and prevent drying. Place it on a baking sheet to catch any potential drips and bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes.
- Add toppings and broil: After baking, remove the foil and sprinkle the French’s fried onions on top. Place the casserole under a hot broiler for 2-3 minutes until the onions are golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley for a fresh touch. Serve the casserole hot and enjoy this comforting meal.
Notes
- Use a mandoline slicer for evenly thin potato slices to ensure they cook uniformly.
- If you prefer, substitute Colby Jack with cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.
- The foil cover during baking helps keep the casserole moist.
- Broiling the fried onions adds a delicious crunchy topping—watch carefully to avoid burning.
- This dish can be made a day ahead and refrigerated before baking, just increase baking time slightly if baking from cold.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
