The Ultimate Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes: A Comforting One-Pan Wonder

There’s something deeply satisfying about a dish that brings together simple, wholesome ingredients into a meal that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. The Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes is exactly that kind of recipe – a testament to the beauty of comfort food that doesn’t require fancy techniques or exotic ingredients, yet delivers maximum flavor and satisfaction with every bite.

This beloved casserole has roots in American home cooking, where practicality meets deliciousness. Originally inspired by the resourceful cooking methods of travelers and working families, the hobo casserole represents the ingenuity of making something extraordinary from ordinary pantry staples. What makes this dish truly special is its ability to transform basic ingredients into a cohesive, flavorful meal that pleases everyone from picky children to discerning adults.

The foundation of any great hobo casserole lies in its layering technique. Unlike many casseroles that mix everything together, this recipe builds flavors through carefully constructed layers that allow each ingredient to shine while contributing to the overall harmony of the dish. The bottom layer of thinly sliced potatoes creates a sturdy base that absorbs all the wonderful flavors from above, while the seasoned ground beef provides protein and rich, savory notes that permeate throughout the entire casserole.

What sets this particular version apart is the attention to seasoning and the strategic use of cheese to create that irresistible golden-brown top that makes everyone’s mouth water. The combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella creates both flavor complexity and the perfect melting characteristics that result in that Instagram-worthy cheese pull we all love to see.

The beauty of this recipe extends beyond its incredible taste. It’s incredibly versatile and forgiving, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need something that can largely take care of itself in the oven. You can easily customize it based on what you have available – substitute different vegetables, experiment with various cheese combinations, or adjust the seasonings to match your family’s preferences.

From a nutritional standpoint, this casserole provides a well-balanced meal in one dish. The potatoes offer complex carbohydrates and potassium, while the ground beef delivers high-quality protein and iron. The addition of onions and herbs contributes antioxidants and additional flavor compounds that make this dish as nourishing as it is delicious.

The preparation process is straightforward enough for beginning cooks, yet the results are impressive enough to serve to guests. There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling a bubbling, golden casserole from the oven and watching as it becomes the centerpiece of your dinner table. The aroma alone is enough to draw everyone to the kitchen, creating those precious family moments that make home cooking so special.

One of the most appealing aspects of this hobo casserole is its make-ahead friendly nature. You can assemble the entire dish earlier in the day or even the night before, then simply slide it into the oven when dinnertime approaches. This makes it an excellent choice for entertaining, potluck dinners, or those hectic days when you want to come home to the smell of dinner already cooking.

The leftovers, if there are any, are arguably even better than the original. The flavors have time to meld and develop, creating an even more cohesive and delicious meal. It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for lunch the next day or for those nights when different family members are eating at different times.

This recipe also represents excellent value for your grocery budget. Using affordable, accessible ingredients, you can create a filling meal that serves a crowd without breaking the bank. Ground beef is typically one of the more budget-friendly protein options, and potatoes are consistently affordable and filling, making this an ideal choice for families looking to eat well while being mindful of their food expenses.

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

• 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
• 6-8 medium russet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 can (10.75 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until thoroughly browned and no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes.

3. Add the sliced onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the onions begin to soften and become translucent.

4. Season the beef mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne if using. Stir well to distribute the seasonings evenly.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and beef broth until smooth and well combined.

6. Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, overlapping slightly to create an even layer.

7. Spread the seasoned ground beef and onion mixture evenly over the potato layer.

8. Pour the soup mixture over the beef layer, using a spoon to spread it evenly if needed.

9. Top with the remaining sliced potatoes, arranging them in an overlapping pattern for an attractive presentation.

10. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.

11. Remove the foil and sprinkle the mixed cheeses evenly over the top of the casserole.

12. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly, and the potatoes are fork-tender.

13. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set properly.

14. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.

Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes

Hearty layered casserole with seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese – perfect comfort food for family dinners.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 485

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Casserole Base

• 2 pounds ground beef 80/20 blend
• 6-8 russet potatoes medium, peeled and sliced thin
• 1 yellow onion large, sliced
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup 10.75 oz
• 0.5 cup beef broth

Seasonings

• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1.5 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper optional
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Large skillet
• Sharp knife or mandoline
• Mixing bowl

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown ground beef completely, breaking up with spoon, 8-10 minutes.
3. Add sliced onion to beef and cook 5 minutes until onions soften and become translucent.
4. Season beef mixture with all spices and seasonings, stirring well to distribute evenly.
5. Whisk together cream of mushroom soup and beef broth in separate bowl until smooth.
6. Layer half the sliced potatoes in prepared baking dish, overlapping slightly.
7. Spread seasoned ground beef mixture evenly over potato layer.
8. Pour soup mixture over beef layer, spreading evenly with spoon.
9. Top with remaining potatoes in overlapping pattern for attractive presentation.
10. Cover tightly with foil and bake 45 minutes.
11. Remove foil, sprinkle mixed cheeses evenly over top.
12. Bake uncovered 25-30 minutes until cheese is golden and potatoes are fork-tender.
13. Rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

For best results, slice potatoes uniformly using mandoline. Can substitute ground turkey for lighter version. Add frozen vegetables between layers for extra nutrition.

Chef’s Tips and Variations

For the best results, slice your potatoes uniformly using a mandoline slicer or food processor to ensure even cooking. If you don’t have these tools, take your time with a sharp knife to achieve slices that are roughly 1/8 inch thick.

Consider adding a layer of frozen mixed vegetables between the beef and top potato layer for extra nutrition and color. Corn, peas, and carrots work particularly well in this application.

For a lighter version, you can substitute ground turkey for the beef and use reduced-fat cheese and soup options. The cooking time may need slight adjustment, but the results will still be delicious.

This casserole pairs beautifully with a simple green salad and crusty bread for a complete, satisfying meal that will become a regular rotation in your dinner planning.