Description

This Ground Beef Hobo Casserole is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal featuring layers of tender potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and creamy mushroom sauce topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for an easy family dinner, it combines rustic flavors in a simple bake that requires minimal prep and yields a satisfying, cheesy casserole.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 lb ground beef
4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced

Soup and Dairy

1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Seasonings and Garnish

1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
Slice Vegetables: Peel the Yukon Gold potatoes and slice them into 1/4 inch rounds. Thinly slice the onion as well to evenly layer in the casserole.
Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat and season the beef with salt, black pepper, and optional paprika to enhance flavor.
Mix Soup Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup and milk. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended for even coating in layers.
Assemble First Layer: Begin layering by placing half of the sliced potatoes on the bottom of your prepared casserole dish. Add half of the cooked ground beef and then half of the sliced onions. Spoon half of the soup mixture evenly over this layer.
Assemble Second Layer: Repeat the layering process with the remaining potatoes, ground beef, sliced onions, and the remaining soup mixture. Make sure to spread everything evenly.
Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese uniformly on top of the final layer to create a golden cheesy crust during baking.
Bake Covered: Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes to allow the potatoes to cook through and flavors to meld.
Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly for a delicious finish.
Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a fresh, colorful touch.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can substitute whole milk with half-and-half or add a little garlic powder to the beef seasoning.
Ensure potatoes are sliced evenly to allow uniform cooking throughout the casserole.
If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper along with paprika when seasoning the beef.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
This casserole can be prepared a day ahead assembled (without cheese topping), refrigerated overnight, and baked the next day.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: ground beef casserole, hobo casserole, easy dinner recipe, cheesy potato bake, layered casserole