Hobo Casserole (Ground Beef Recipe)

Introduction

The Hobo Casserole brings ultimate comfort to the dinner table by marrying hearty ground beef, layers of savory vegetables, and a creamy, cheesy topping all in one skillet. Its simplicity and robust flavors make it a perennial favorite for busy weeknights, potlucks, and cozy family meals. With minimal prep and easy cleanup, this recipe is a must-try for home cooks seeking both convenience and deliciousness.

Why Hobo Casserole Is Always a Hit

This ground beef casserole stands out thanks to its one-dish convenience and comforting flavor profile. Protein-rich beef melds with rustic potatoes, crisp onions, and a creamy sauce, then is finished with bubbling cheddar cheese. It’s a meal that pleases picky eaters and hungrier crowds alike—you’ll love how easily you can adjust the veggies or add toppings for variety. Plus, leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day.

The Trick to Perfect Creamy Layers

For the best Hobo Casserole, slice your potatoes extra thin to ensure they bake evenly and soak up all that beefy goodness. Choosing a hearty ground beef (preferably 85% lean) delivers flavor without excessive grease, and using condensed soup as a sauce binder ensures a perfectly creamy texture. A sprinkle of paprika and black pepper wakes up the flavors, while the final layer of sharp cheddar cheese forms an irresistible golden crust.

Simple Assembly, Big Flavor

Everything comes together in just one baking dish: a layer of potatoes, followed by savory beef and onion, your choice of condensed soup for creaminess, and a generous blanket of cheese. The oven does the magic, melding all the ingredients into a comforting, filling casserole that’s easy to slice and serve.

Hearty Serving Suggestions

This casserole pairs well with a crisp side salad or steamed green beans to complete your meal. Serve it straight from the oven for a satisfying, all-in-one dinner. For an extra touch, garnish with sliced green onions or a sprinkle of parsley just before serving.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 generous servings. Each serving contains roughly 420–480 calories, depending on the type of soup and cheese used. It’s a balanced meal with protein, carbs, and healthy fats—a great fit for family-style dining.

Hobo Casserole Recap

The Hobo Casserole transforms everyday staples like ground beef, potatoes, and cheese into a soul-warming dish that’s ideal for sharing. With its ease of prep and crowd-pleasing flavors, it’s destined to become a staple in your recipe rotation.

💡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 stress-free meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Drain excess fat if needed. Set aside.
3. In a bowl, mix the condensed soup with milk until smooth and creamy.
4. Layer half the potato slices into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the sliced onions.
5. Spread half of the cooked ground beef over the potatoes and onions. Pour half the soup mixture evenly over the top. Repeat the layers with remaining potatoes, onions, beef, and soup mixture.
6. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes, until potatoes are fork-tender.
7. Remove foil, sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. Top with green onions, parsley, or a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Getting dinner on the table consistently is easier with some smart planning. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your weekly meals and instantly generate a consolidated shopping list for all the dishes on your menu.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across your planned recipes
• Organizes grocery lists by store section for maximum efficiency
• Eliminates duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
• Dramatically simplifies weekly meal prep and shopping

Pro tip: When scheduling multiple meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—let CookifyAI show you how ingredients overlap so you buy just what you need and avoid food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60–65 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes