Some dinners just feel like pure comfort, and this Hobo Casserole Ground Beef is one of those recipes in my kitchen. It is hearty, cheesy, simple, and made with ingredients I almost always already have at home.
The first time I made this casserole was on a busy weeknight when I needed something filling but easy. Ground beef, potatoes, cheese, and a creamy sauce baked together into one cozy dish. The house smelled amazing while it baked, and by the time dinner was ready, everyone was already waiting at the table.
This hobo casserole ground beef recipe is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or anytime you want a warm, satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Let’s get cooking.
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Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe Card
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
This hobo casserole ground beef recipe combines seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, creamy sauce, and melted cheese baked into one comforting dish. It is simple, filling, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
The Casserole Base
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
The Creamy Sauce
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon paprika
The Topping
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook The Ground Beef
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned.
Add the diced onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens.
Drain excess grease and set aside.
Step 2: Layer The Casserole
Lightly grease a baking dish.
Start with a layer of thinly sliced potatoes at the bottom.
Add half of the cooked ground beef mixture.
Repeat with another layer of potatoes and the remaining beef.
Step 3: Add The Sauce
In a bowl mix together:
- cream of mushroom soup
- milk
- paprika
Pour the mixture evenly over the casserole.
Cover the dish with foil.
Step 4: Bake The Casserole
Bake covered for 35 minutes.
Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
Bake another 10 minutes until the cheese melts and the potatoes are tender.
Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes And Variations
Add Vegetables
You can add extra vegetables like:
- sliced carrots
- green beans
- corn
- peas
They blend nicely with the beef and potatoes.
Use Different Cheese
Try different cheeses for new flavors:
- Monterey Jack
- Colby Jack
- mozzarella
Make It Creamier
You can mix ¼ cup sour cream into the soup mixture for a richer sauce.
Serving Ideas
This casserole pairs well with simple sides like:
- green salad
- roasted vegetables
- garlic bread
FAQs
The dish is inspired by simple campfire meals traditionally called "hobo dinners" where meat and potatoes were cooked together in foil packets.
Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Yes. Wrap the casserole tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking.
📖 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.
Recipes You May Like
If you enjoy comforting dinner recipes like this one, here are a few favorites from the blog.
Cream Cheese Chicken Recipe Easy Creamy Delicious
Better Than Takeout Beef And Broccoli
Apple Cider Chicken Skillet Recipe
These recipes are listed in the site recipe sitemap and are great options for easy weeknight meals.
Conclusion
This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef is the kind of dinner that brings everyone to the table quickly.
It is hearty, cheesy, comforting, and made with simple ingredients that work perfectly together. Best of all, it is easy to prepare and feeds the whole family.
If you try this recipe, I would love to hear how it turned out. Did you keep it classic or add extra vegetables?
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