Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes

Introduction

When the goal is a hearty, comforting meal that’s simple to prepare and loved by all, Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes stands out as a top choice. This classic dish layers tender sliced potatoes, savory ground beef, melty cheese, and flavorful seasoning in a one-pan bake, delivering incredible flavor with minimal effort. Its budget-friendly ingredients make it a crowd pleaser for family dinners or potluck gatherings.

Why Hobo Casserole is a Weeknight Winner

Few recipes offer the satisfying blend of creamy, cheesy textures and robust, meaty flavor quite like Hobo Casserole. Diced potatoes soak up the savory juices from seasoned ground beef, while a topping of ooey-gooey cheese and a crunchy baked finish create a comforting contrast. Best of all, it’s a customizable dish—add more veggies, swap in your favorite cheese, or top with fresh herbs to suit any taste.

Building the Perfect Layers

To create the most flavorful and tender casserole, start by thinly slicing the potatoes for even cooking. Season the ground beef well as it browns, and consider mixing in onions or bell peppers for extra depth. Layering everything neatly ensures each bite delivers a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Top with shredded cheddar or mozzarella before baking for a golden, bubbly finish.

Easy Assembly—One Pan is All You Need

With just one casserole dish, you’ll layer potatoes, seasoned beef, a blend of soup or sauce, and cheese. The simplicity of this assembly cuts down on prep and cleanup, making it ideal for busy evenings. Bake until the potatoes are fork-tender and the cheese is invitingly melted—a sure sign it’s ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions for Hobo Casserole

Serve hot with a side of crisp green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the meal. For an extra kick, consider offering hot sauce, chopped pickles, or a dollop of sour cream on the side. It’s also delicious reheated, making it perfect for leftovers or meal prep.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 hearty servings. Each serving is approximately 400-450 calories, varying based on cheese and soup used. It’s filling enough for a standalone meal and delivers classic comfort food satisfaction.

Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes (Recap)

Layered with tender potatoes and savory beef, this classic casserole is a staple for its unbeatable mix of ease, flavor, and family-friendly appeal. It’s a practical favorite you’ll return to for quick, wholesome weeknight dinners.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with chopped onion (and bell pepper, if using), breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat. Season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together condensed soup and milk until smooth.
4. Layer half the thinly sliced potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with half the beef mixture, pour half the soup mixture over, then sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese. Repeat layers with remaining potatoes, beef, soup, and cheese.
5. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender and cheese is golden and bubbly.
6. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Hobo Casserole is ideal for meal prepping—prepare in advance, refrigerate, then simply reheat portions throughout the week. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to instantly add it to your weekly meal lineup and generate a smart, consolidated shopping list.

Planning Benefits:

Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across your weekly recipes

Organizes your grocery list by store section for speedy shopping

Helps reduce food waste by identifying overlapping ingredients across meals

Streamlines meal prep for more organized, stress-free dinners

Pro tip: When planning several casseroles or meat-and-potato recipes, schedule your meals to see exactly how many potatoes or how much beef you need—no guesswork or overbuying.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes