Hobo Casserole Ground Beef: Easy 5-Step Hearty Family Dinner
This Cozy Hobo Casserole Ground Beef is a classic, comforting family dinner featuring layers of savory ground beef, creamy soup, tender potatoes, and a crispy cheesy topping. It’s quick to prepare, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for busy weeknights or cozy Sunday suppers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15 preferred, or use leaner/turkey/plant-based as desired)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/8-inch rounds
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken; gluten-free if needed)
- 1/2 cup milk (whole milk preferred, or any milk/dairy-free alternative)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping; dairy-free if needed)
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 cup French fried onions or crushed buttery crackers (for topping; gluten-free if needed)
- Extra cheese for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel and thinly slice potatoes (about 1/8-inch thick). Dice onion and mince garlic. Measure out all other ingredients.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up beef, until browned and onions are soft (about 6-8 minutes). Add garlic during the last minute, if using. Drain excess fat.
- In a bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir in 1/2 cup cheese.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half the potatoes in the bottom, top with half the browned beef mixture, and spoon half the creamy sauce over the beef. Repeat layers. Sprinkle remaining cheese and fried onions/crackers on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender and top is golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Slice potatoes thin for even cooking. Let casserole rest 10 minutes before serving for best texture. For gluten-free, use gluten-free soup and crackers. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk and cheese. Add extra veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for variety. If potatoes aren’t tender after 45 minutes, cover and bake an extra 10 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: hobo casserole, ground beef casserole, family dinner, comfort food, easy casserole, weeknight dinner, cheesy casserole, potato casserole