Description
This hearty Hobo Casserole is a comforting layered dish combining ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and creamy soups, all topped with melted cheese. Perfect for an easy family dinner, it bakes to golden perfection while delivering rich, savory flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
Soup Mixture
- 1 can (10.7 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup (with or without garlic)
- 1 can (10.7 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- ½ cup milk
Topping
- 2 cups shredded cheese
Other
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, diced onions, and minced garlic until the beef turns no longer pink. Drain excess fat thoroughly, then season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Layer Potatoes and Beef: Arrange a layer of thinly sliced potatoes evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan. Top this with half of the cooked beef mixture, spreading it out uniformly.
- Mix and Add Soup Layer: In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, evaporated milk, and regular milk until smooth. Pour half of this creamy soup mixture evenly over the beef layer, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the top.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat layering with the remaining potatoes, beef mixture, the rest of the soup mixture, and finish with the remaining cheese spread evenly on top.
- Cover with Foil: Tent a piece of aluminum foil over the pan to cover without touching the cheese, which helps prevent overbrowning during baking.
- Bake Covered: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour covered to allow the potatoes to cook through and flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 30 minutes to brown the cheese topping to a delightful golden finish.
- Rest and Serve: Once out of the oven, let the casserole rest for 10 minutes on a wire rack before slicing and serving to let the dish set and flavors develop fully.
Notes
- Slicing the Potatoes: Ensure potatoes are thinly and evenly sliced to guarantee even cooking throughout the casserole.
- Let It Rest: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking to enable the flavors to meld and to make slicing easier.
- Use Time-Savers: Pre-chopped onions and minced garlic can save prep time without sacrificing flavor.
- Even Layers: Assemble ingredients in even layers for balanced flavor and texture in every bite.
- Cook Covered: Cover with foil during most of baking to keep the top from drying out; uncover at the end to brown the cheese.
Keywords: hobo casserole, ground beef casserole, layered casserole, baked potato casserole, comfort food