Description
Hearty hobo casserole brings rustic comfort straight from midwestern kitchens, blending savory ground beef with simple, satisfying ingredients. Layers of rich flavors and budget-friendly goodness invite you to savor a classic one-dish meal that warms both body and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
Dairy and Sauce:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for layering.
- Sauté ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, seasoning with salt and pepper until thoroughly browned. Carefully drain away excess fat.
- Create the first foundation layer by arranging half of the potato slices across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Distribute chopped onions evenly over the potato base, then spread the cooked ground beef across the entire surface.
- Gently pour cream of mushroom soup, ensuring complete and uniform coverage over the beef layer.
- Complete the casserole architecture by adding the remaining potato slices as the top stratum.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the final potato layer, creating a melty golden crown.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Uncover the dish, returning it to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until potatoes turn tender and cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden blanket.
- Allow the casserole to rest and settle for 5 minutes before serving, which helps stabilize the layers and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Customize the seasonings by adding garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs to enhance the ground beef’s flavor profile.
- Use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for a nutrient-dense, lower-carb alternative that adds a subtle sweetness.
- Replace cream of mushroom soup with a homemade white sauce or Greek yogurt for a healthier, less processed option that reduces sodium content.
- Consider using lean ground beef or ground turkey to lower the fat content while maintaining the casserole’s hearty texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg