There is something deeply comforting about a warm casserole bubbling away in the oven. This hobo casserole with ground beef is hearty, simple, and packed with cozy flavor in every bite.
Tender potatoes, savory ground beef, creamy sauce, and melted cheese come together in one easy dish that feels like pure comfort food. It's the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with the most inviting aroma while it bakes. If you love simple family dinners that use everyday ingredients, this hobo casserole with ground beef will quickly become a favorite. Let's get cooking.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This classic casserole is simple, filling, and perfect for busy evenings.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- A comforting family-friendly dinner
- Everything bakes in one dish
- Creamy, cheesy, and satisfying
- Perfect for meal prep and leftovers
- Budget-friendly and easy to customize
I've made this casserole on chilly evenings when everyone wanted something warm and filling. The combination of seasoned beef and tender potatoes always disappears quickly.
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Toppings
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- extra shredded cheese
These ingredients create a creamy, savory casserole with layers of flavor and comforting texture.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Ground beef
Use lean ground beef to keep the casserole rich but not greasy.
Potatoes
Russet potatoes work beautifully because they soften while baking and soak up the creamy sauce.
Cream of mushroom soup
This ingredient adds a savory base that keeps the casserole creamy. Cream of chicken or cream of celery also work well.
Cheese options
Sharp cheddar adds bold flavor, but mozzarella or Monterey Jack melt beautifully too.
Extra vegetables
Sometimes I add sliced mushrooms or green beans for extra texture.
Instructions
1. Cook the ground beef
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion becomes soft.
Drain any excess fat.
Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Layer the casserole
Lightly grease a baking dish.
Arrange half of the sliced potatoes across the bottom.
Spread half of the cooked ground beef mixture over the potatoes.
Repeat with another layer of potatoes and the remaining beef.
3. Add the creamy sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and milk.
Pour the mixture evenly over the layered casserole so it seeps between the potatoes.
4. Add the cheese
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top.
Cover the baking dish with foil.
5. Bake
Bake the casserole for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Success
- Slice potatoes thinly
Thin slices cook more evenly and absorb the sauce better. - Season each layer
Light seasoning between layers adds deeper flavor. - Cover during the first bake
This helps the potatoes soften while the casserole cooks. - Let it rest before serving
The sauce thickens slightly as the casserole cools.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm portions in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes or microwave individual servings until hot.
Make Ahead & Freezing
This casserole is excellent for meal prep.
- Assemble the casserole up to 1 day in advance and refrigerate before baking.
- Bake when ready to serve.
For freezing:
- Wrap the unbaked casserole tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Tips and Variations
Add vegetables
Carrots, corn, or green beans add color and texture.
Use ground turkey
Ground turkey works well if you prefer a lighter option.
Add crispy topping
Sprinkle crushed crackers or fried onions over the cheese before baking.
Make it spicy
Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of chili flakes.
Try different cheeses
Colby Jack or pepper jack give the casserole a fun flavor twist.
FAQs
The dish gets its name from simple campfire-style meals that used affordable ingredients like potatoes and ground beef cooked together.
Yes. Frozen sliced potatoes or hash browns can work if thawed first.
The potatoes should be fork tender and the cheese golden and bubbly.
📖 Recipe
Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef is delicious with tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and melted cheese all baked together into a comforting dish. It's a simple, hearty meal that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4-5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup beef broth or water
- ¼ cup milk (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook while breaking it apart until browned and fully cooked.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the thinly sliced potatoes over the beef.
- Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the casserole.
- Pour beef broth (or water) around the edges of the dish and drizzle milk if using.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender and cheese is golden.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Brown the ground beef well before layering to improve flavor and texture. Drain excess fat for a leaner casserole. This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Serving Suggestions
This hobo casserole with ground beef is a satisfying meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with simple sides.
Serve it with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or warm bread rolls. The fresh sides balance the rich, creamy casserole perfectly.
It's also wonderful for cozy family dinners when everyone wants something warm and filling.
Nutrition & Notes
- Servings: 6
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 60 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fat: 24g
Author: Lily, Let's Fly Tasty
I tested this recipe several times to get the perfect balance of creamy sauce and tender potatoes. It's one of those comforting meals that always feels like home.
Reader Reviews
"This is the ultimate comfort food. My family loved it." - Jessica
"Simple ingredients and so filling. Definitely adding this to our dinner rotation." - Mark
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