Description
Hearty hobo casserole brings comfort straight from midwestern kitchens, blending rich ground beef with simple, wholesome ingredients. Rustic layers of potato, meat, and vegetables create a satisfying meal that warms hearts and fills hungry bellies you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium potatoes, thinly sliced (about 1/8-inch thick)
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a spacious skillet heated to medium, combine ground beef and onions, cooking until meat browns and onions soften, approximately 5-7 minutes. Thoroughly drain accumulated fat.
- Incorporate sliced potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and milk into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Elevate mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce heat. Cover and allow ingredients to simmer for 10-15 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent potato adhesion to pan bottom.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer skillet contents into a greased 9×13-inch baking vessel, distributing mixture uniformly across surface.
- Generously scatter shredded cheddar cheese across the casserole’s top layer, creating comprehensive cheese coverage.
- Position casserole in preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops slight golden bubbling. Optional: Activate broiler for final 2-3 minutes to achieve crispy cheese surface.
- Remove from oven, allowing casserole to rest and slightly cool before serving. This brief cooling period helps stabilize dish’s structural integrity.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy, heavy texture that can weigh down the casserole’s lightness.
- Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for better holding shape and creating a creamier consistency during cooking.
- Consider adding diced bell peppers or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor complexity without changing core recipe structure.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly alternative that maintains the dish’s hearty character.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg