Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef – Classic Comfort Food Made Easy
If you’re craving a hearty, no-fuss dinner that feels like a warm hug after a long day, this Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef is exactly what you need. It’s old-fashioned comfort food at its finest—simple ingredients, bold flavors, and a cozy, filling result that brings everyone to the table.
This casserole has stood the test of time for a reason. Layers of seasoned Ground Beef, tender potatoes, creamy sauce, and melted cheese come together in one baking dish to create a meal that’s both satisfying and budget-friendly. No fancy steps. No complicated ingredients. Just pure, down-home goodness.
Why This Hobo Casserole Is a Family Favorite
The beauty of Hobo Casserole lies in its simplicity. It uses pantry staples most households already have, making it perfect for busy weeknights or end-of-month budget meals. Despite how easy it is, the flavors are rich, savory, and deeply comforting.
As the casserole bakes, the potatoes soften, the beef becomes tender and flavorful, and the creamy sauce binds everything together. The melted cheese on top seals the deal, creating a golden, bubbly finish that’s impossible to resist.
What Makes It a “Hobo” Casserole?
Traditionally, “hobo” meals were simple dishes made with minimal ingredients, often cooked all together. This casserole follows the same idea—everything layered into one dish and baked until perfectly tender. It’s rustic, practical, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients
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Ground beef
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Potatoes, thinly sliced
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Onion, finely chopped
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Cream of mushroom soup
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Milk
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Shredded cheddar cheese
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Garlic powder
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Salt and black pepper
Optional Add-Ins
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Corn or green beans
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Bell peppers
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Paprika or Italian seasoning
How to Make Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef
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Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish. -
Cook the ground beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with chopped onion until browned. Drain excess grease. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. -
Prepare the creamy sauce
In a bowl, mix cream of mushroom soup with milk until smooth. -
Layer the casserole
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Start with a layer of sliced potatoes
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Add a portion of cooked ground beef
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Spoon some of the soup mixture over the top
Repeat layers until ingredients are used up.
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Cover and bake
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 50–60 minutes, until potatoes are fork-tender. -
Add cheese and finish baking
Remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden. -
Rest and serve
Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to help it set.
Why the Layers Matter
Thinly sliced potatoes cook evenly and absorb flavor from the beef and creamy sauce. Covering the dish traps steam, ensuring tender potatoes, while uncovering it at the end allows the cheese to melt beautifully without drying out the casserole.
Make It Your Own
This Hobo Casserole is incredibly flexible:
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Cheesier: Add an extra layer of cheese in the middle
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Healthier: Use lean ground beef and add vegetables
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More Flavor: Season the beef with paprika, onion powder, or Worcestershire sauce
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Extra Creamy: Add a little sour cream to the soup mixture
Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers
This casserole reheats like a dream:
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Fridge: Store up to 4 days
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Freezer: Freeze baked or unbaked for up to 2 months
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Reheat: Oven or microwave with a splash of milk if needed
The flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers just as good—if not better.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this casserole with:
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A crisp green salad
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Steamed green beans or peas
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Dinner rolls or crusty bread
It’s a complete, filling meal all on its own, but simple sides make it even better.
Final Thoughts
This Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef is proof that great comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s warm, filling, budget-friendly, and deeply nostalgic—the kind of meal that brings back memories and creates new ones around the dinner table.
Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal-prepping for the week, or just craving something cozy, this classic casserole deserves a spot in your regular rotation. Simple ingredients. Big comfort. Zero stress. 🍲✨
Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef – Classic Comfort Food Made Easy
This classic casserole layers ground beef, sliced potatoes, and vegetables with a creamy sauce and cheese topping. Simple, filling, and delicious, it is the ultimate family-friendly dinner that stretches your budget without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients:
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter and set aside.
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In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic. Break up the meat as it cooks. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are softened. Drain excess fat if needed.
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Season the cooked beef mixture with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and remove from heat.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and beef broth until smooth and well combined. This will be your creamy sauce.
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Begin layering the casserole. Start with half of the sliced potatoes arranged in an even layer on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
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Spread half of the seasoned ground beef mixture over the potatoes. Top with half of the mixed vegetables. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
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Repeat the layers: remaining potatoes, remaining beef mixture, remaining vegetables, and another 1/2 cup of cheese.
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Pour the soup mixture evenly over the entire casserole. Use a spatula to spread it around and make sure it seeps down into the layers. The liquid will help cook the potatoes and create a creamy sauce.
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Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Make sure it is sealed well to trap steam, which helps cook the potatoes thoroughly.
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Bake covered for 50-55 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. The casserole should be bubbling around the edges.
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Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Return to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
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Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set up slightly and makes it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired..
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 ServingCalories:520kcal
Note
For easier slicing, use a mandoline to cut the potatoes uniformly thin. This ensures even cooking. You can prep this casserole ahead - assemble everything up to the baking step, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time if baking from cold. Leftovers store beautifully for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the whole dish covered in a 325 degree F oven for 30 minutes. You can also freeze this casserole for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken work great and make the dish a bit lighter. Season them a bit more generously as they have milder flavor than beef. Ground pork or a beef-pork blend also work wonderfully.
Do I have to use cream of mushroom soup?
No! Cream of chicken, cream of celery, or even cream of potato soup work well. For a homemade version, make a roux with butter and flour, add milk and seasonings until thick and creamy.
What if my potatoes are not tender after the baking time?
Cover again with foil and continue baking, checking every 10 minutes. This usually happens if potatoes were sliced too thick or the oven temperature was off. Make sure potatoes are sliced very thin - about 1/8 inch thick.
Can I add other vegetables?
Yes! Mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, or cauliflower all work great. Just adjust the amount so you have about 3 cups total vegetables. Pre-cook harder vegetables like broccoli for 2-3 minutes before adding.
How do I prevent the casserole from being watery?
Make sure to drain the ground beef well after browning. If using frozen vegetables, thaw and drain them first. Do not add extra liquid beyond what the recipe calls for. Let the casserole rest 5-10 minutes after baking to absorb excess liquid.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Layer everything in a slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until potatoes are tender. Add cheese in the last 15 minutes. Note that the texture will be softer than the baked version.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Most cream of mushroom soups contain gluten. Use a gluten-free version or make your own cream sauce with cornstarch as a thickener instead of flour. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free.
How can I make this lower in calories?
Use lean ground beef or ground turkey, reduced-fat soup and cheese, and skim milk. Increase the vegetable ratio and decrease the potato amount. These swaps will lighten it up while keeping it delicious.
Can I prepare this ahead for a potluck?
Yes! Assemble completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking, or add 15-20 minutes to the covered baking time if going straight from the fridge to the oven.
What sides go well with this casserole?
Since this is a complete meal with protein, starch, and vegetables, you only need simple sides. A green salad, dinner rolls, garlic bread, or coleslaw all complement it nicely without being too heavy.
