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Hobo Casserole Bake Recipe: Easy Comfort Food with Crispy Potatoes & Melty Cheese

hobo casserole bake - featured image

This comforting casserole features layers of thinly sliced crispy potatoes, creamy sauce, gooey cheese, and tender ground beef. It’s a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for cozy family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 34 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • Optional: chopped parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. Slice potatoes as thin as possible (about 1/8 inch).
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until beef is browned and onion is soft (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Season with half the salt and pepper.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk until smooth. Season with remaining salt and pepper.
  4. Layer half of the sliced potatoes evenly in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour half the creamy sauce over potatoes and spread gently. Spoon the beef and onion mixture evenly over the sauce.
  5. Top beef layer with remaining potatoes. Pour over remaining sauce, ensuring all potatoes are coated. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.
  6. Drizzle melted butter over the cheese. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
  7. Remove foil and bake an additional 20-25 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and potatoes are golden and fork-tender.
  8. Pierce top layer with a fork to check doneness; potatoes should be very soft and cheese melted. For extra crispy edges, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  9. Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired.

Notes

Slice potatoes thin for best texture. Drain beef well to avoid soggy casserole. Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded. For gluten-free, use gluten-free cream soup. For vegetarian, swap beef for plant-based crumbles. Let casserole rest before serving for cleaner slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: hobo casserole, comfort food, potato casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner, cheesy casserole, family recipe, potluck, oven bake