Description
This rustic hobo casserole combines savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and a creamy, cheesy sauce for the ultimate comfort food. It’s a simple, budget-friendly bake that’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or cozy weekends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend preferred, or lean beef)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 2 pounds)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- 1/2 cup whole milk (or 2% or oat milk)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp, Monterey Jack, or blend)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup crushed buttery crackers or panko breadcrumbs (optional topping)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter or spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until beef is browned and onions are soft, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together condensed soup and milk until smooth. Stir in garlic powder, parsley, and a pinch of pepper.
- Peel (optional) and thinly slice potatoes into 1/8-inch rounds. Keep slices even for best results.
- Layer half the potatoes in the bottom of the greased dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with half the beef/onion mixture, half the soup mixture, and half the shredded cheese.
- Repeat layers with remaining potatoes, beef/onion, soup mixture, and cheese. Press down gently after each layer.
- For the optional topping, mix crushed crackers or panko with melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 60 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are tender and top is golden and bubbly.
- Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Slice potatoes thinly and evenly for best texture. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soup and crackers. Add extra veggies like peas, corn, or bell peppers for more nutrition. Let the casserole rest before serving to help it set. Leftovers keep well and flavors improve the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
Keywords: hobo casserole, ground beef casserole, potato bake, rustic casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, cheesy casserole, weeknight dinner, budget recipe