Hobo Casserole – The Ultimate Comfort Food Bake 🥩🥔🧀
This hearty, all-in-one casserole layers savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and melty cheese in a creamy mushroom sauce for a budget-friendly meal that’s pure comfort. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep!
✅ One-dish wonder (easy cleanup!)
✅ Feeds a crowd
✅ Customizable with your favorite add-ins
🧾 Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 🥩
- 5–6 russet potatoes, peeled & thinly sliced 🥔
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced 🧅
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup 🥣
- ½ cup milk 🥛
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided 🧀
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Butter or nonstick spray (for greasing)
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep & Preheat
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2️⃣ Cook the Beef
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain fat.
- Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3️⃣ Make the Sauce
- In a bowl, whisk cream of mushroom soup + milk until smooth.
4️⃣ Layer the Casserole
- Layer ½ the potatoes on the bottom.
- Top with ½ the beef, ½ the onions, and ½ the cheese.
- Repeat layers, ending with potatoes and remaining cheese.
- Pour soup mixture evenly over top. Sprinkle with paprika.
5️⃣ Bake to Perfection
- Cover with foil, bake for 45 mins.
- Uncover, bake 15 more mins until cheese is golden and potatoes are tender.
6️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
- Let rest 5–10 mins before serving.
- Pair with a green salad or steamed veggies.
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Use a mandoline for even potato slices (faster cooking!).
✔ Shortcut: Substitute frozen hash browns for fresh potatoes.
✔ Extra veggies? Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.
✔ Make ahead: Assemble & refrigerate overnight (add 10 mins baking time).
🌶️ Tex-Mex Variation (Optional!)
- Swap mushroom soup for cream of chicken.
- Add 1 tbsp taco seasoning to beef.
- Top with diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and cilantro.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
✨ Potluck star: Double the recipe for a crowd!
✨ Freezer-friendly: Cool completely, then freeze for up to 3 months.
✨ Leftovers? Reheat in the oven for best texture.
