Hearty Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef (Print Version)

Hearty Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef is pure comfort! Simple ingredients, easy steps, and a delicious meal for any busy weeknight.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Contains Meat, Dairy, Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - Ground Beef (1.5 lbs, 80/20)
02 - Russet Potatoes (3 large, thinly sliced)
03 - Cream of Mushroom Soup (1 can, 10.5 oz)
04 - Whole Milk (1/2 cup)

→ Flavor Boosters

05 - Onion (1 large, chopped)
06 - Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
07 - Worcestershire Sauce (1 tbsp)
08 - Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)

→ Hearty Veggies

09 - Frozen Green Beans (1.5 cups)

→ Finishing Touches

10 - Sharp Cheddar Cheese (2 cups, shredded)

# Instructions:

01 - Alright, first things first for our casserole. Get that ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon and let it brown beautifully, really get some color on it. This step is crucial for flavor, don't rush it! Drain off any excess fat—I usually just tilt the pan and spoon it out. Then, toss in your chopped onion and garlic. Sauté them until they're fragrant and softened, about 5-7 minutes. Oh, the smell at this stage is just heavenly, a real kitchen comfort!
02 - Now, for the heart of our casserole sauce. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and that little splash of Worcestershire sauce into your browned beef and onion mixture. Give it a good stir until everything is well combined and simmering gently. This is where the magic starts to happen, creating that creamy, savory base. Season generously with salt and pepper here, remembering that the potatoes will need their share of seasoning too. I always taste it at this point, just to make sure it's heading in the right direction.
03 - While your beef mixture is doing its thing, grab your potatoes. Peel them if you like, but honestly, I often leave the skins on for extra fiber and rustic charm – just make sure they're scrubbed clean! Slice them into thin, even rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. This even thickness is key for consistent cooking in our casserole. I've had times where some were thick and some thin, and it led to a mix of mushy and undercooked. Not ideal, trust me!
04 - Time to assemble! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Start by spreading about half of your sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom of the dish. Next, spoon half of the creamy ground beef mixture over the potatoes. Scatter half of your green beans over the beef. Repeat these layers: remaining potatoes, then the rest of the beef mixture, and finally the remaining green beans. It's like building a delicious little edible fort for your casserole!
05 - Almost there! Now for the best part: the cheese. Sprinkle that glorious shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer of green beans. Make sure it covers everything, because who doesn't love a golden, bubbly cheese crust? Sometimes I get a little heavy-handed with the cheese, and honestly, no regrets. It's a Hobo Casserole, it's meant to be generous!
06 - Pop that beautiful casserole into your preheated oven. Bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beautifully golden brown. If the cheese starts to get too dark, you can loosely tent it with foil. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes after taking it out of the oven – this helps the casserole set up a bit and prevents it from falling apart when you serve it. The aroma filling your kitchen will be pure comfort, I promise!

# Notes:

01 - Don't rush the browning of the beef, it adds so much flavor!
02 - Leftovers reheat beautifully in the oven, honestly better than the microwave sometimes.
03 - Tried it with sweet potatoes once, it was a surprisingly good twist!
04 - Serve it straight from the dish, rustic charm is key here.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet
02 - 9x13 inch baking dish
03 - sharp knife
04 - cutting board

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 kcal
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 28g

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