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Hobo Casserole Recipe
Emily

Hobo Casserole

A hearty and budget-friendly comfort food casserole made with layers of potatoes, seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, and gooey cheddar cheese — baked to golden perfection.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 460
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 0.5 tsp paprika (optional, for garnish)
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • mandoline slicer (optional)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Peel and slice the potatoes into thin, even rounds.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onions are soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the greased baking dish. Spoon half of the beef mixture on top. Repeat with remaining potatoes and beef.
  4. In a small bowl, mix the cream of mushroom soup with the milk until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the casserole.
  5. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top. Drizzle melted butter over the cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  6. Let the casserole rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with paprika for garnish if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, add sliced mushrooms or green beans between the layers. Swap cheddar for mozzarella or Colby Jack for a different cheesy twist. Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave.