Description
Hobo Casserole is a hearty and comforting layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, and tender sliced potatoes topped with melted cheddar cheese. It’s an easy-to-make American classic that makes a perfect family dinner, combining simple ingredients into a flavorful baked casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Soup and Dairy
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables
- 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes (about 3–4 medium potatoes)
Other
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until browned and fully cooked, about 7–8 minutes. Season the mixture with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, then drain any excess grease to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Prepare Cream Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk until smooth to create a creamy layer that complements the potatoes and meat.
- Assemble Casserole Layers: Layer half of the thinly sliced potatoes evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the cooked beef mixture over the potatoes, then spoon half of the creamy soup mixture on top. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, beef, and soup mixture to build the casserole structure.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving, which helps it set. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired to add a fresh touch.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken or celery soup for a different flavor.
- Add green beans or corn for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- For a shortcut, use frozen diced potatoes like hash browns instead of slicing fresh potatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
