Hobo Casserole is a classic comfort-food dinner made with simple, budget-friendly ingredients. Layers of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, creamy sauce, and melted cheese come together in one cozy baked dish. It’s easy to prepare, filling, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want a warm, satisfying meal without much effort.
(Serves 4–6)
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
½ cup milk
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon butter, melted
½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for garnish)
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Thinly slice the potatoes and set aside.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until browned and soft, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Layer half of the potatoes in the baking dish
Top with half of the beef mixture
Repeat with remaining potatoes and beef
Mix the cream of mushroom soup with milk until smooth. Pour evenly over the casserole.
Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top and drizzle with melted butter.
Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Uncover and bake 15 more minutes, until bubbly and lightly golden.
Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with paprika if desired.
Slice potatoes thinly so they cook evenly and become tender
Cover tightly with foil during the first bake to trap steam
For extra flavor, add smoked paprika or Italian seasoning to the beef
Make it richer by using whole milk instead of low-fat
Let it rest before slicing so layers hold together better
Find it online: https://biteseason.com/hobo-casserole-ground-beef-recipe/