Description
Hearty hobo casserole delights home cooks with its simple, satisfying blend of ground beef, potatoes, and classic comfort ingredients. Comfort meets convenience in this rustic dish that brings warmth to family dinner tables with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 1 cup (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté ground beef and onions in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking meat into crumbles. Cook until beef loses pink color and onions become translucent, approximately 7-8 minutes. Carefully drain accumulated fat to prevent excess greasiness.
- Incorporate thinly sliced potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and milk into the meat mixture. Season with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder. Simmer the combination for 10-15 minutes, stirring periodically, until potatoes reach a tender consistency. Adjust liquid by adding small amounts of milk if the mixture appears too dense.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer beef and potato mixture into a greased casserole dish, ensuring even distribution. Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top, covering the entire surface.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden-brown, slightly crispy texture. Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving, which helps stabilize the dish and enhance flavor melding.
- Slice and serve warm, enjoying the hearty combination of seasoned beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly version that still packs incredible flavor.
- Control the sodium and fat content by using low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and reduced-fat cheese without compromising the rich, comforting taste.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, or green beans during the simmering stage for extra color and nutrients.
- Create a gluten-free adaptation by ensuring your cream of mushroom soup is gluten-free and using cornstarch instead of traditional thickeners if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg