Description
Hobo Casserole is a comforting, hearty layered dish featuring seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, savory cream soups, and melted cheddar cheese, topped with crispy fried onions. Slow baked to perfection, it blends simple ingredients into a delicious, family-friendly meal perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup diced onion (about ½ a large onion)
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup diced green bell pepper
Potatoes & Sauces
- 2 pounds russet potatoes
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
Toppings & Cheese
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 cup fried onions
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish with pan spray to prevent sticking.
- Brown: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until no pink remains, breaking it into pieces. Stir in the salt and pepper for seasoning.
- Cook Vegetables: Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for a few minutes until the onion becomes translucent and soft. Drain any excess fat and turn off the heat.
- Slice Potatoes: Peel the russet potatoes and slice them thinly. Place the slices into a large bowl of cold water to prevent browning.
- Whisk Sauces: In a medium bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, cream of mushroom soup, and cream of chicken soup until smooth.
- Layer Ingredients: Drain and pat dry the potato slices. Layer half of the potatoes evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Then layer half of the meat mixture over the potatoes, followed by half the sauce mixture, and top with 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat this layering with remaining potatoes, meat, sauce, and cheese.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the top with the cup of fried onions evenly before covering the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Bake the casserole for 75-80 minutes until potatoes are tender and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove foil and broil on high heat for 1-2 minutes to brown the topping until golden.
- Rest: Allow the casserole to sit for about 10 minutes before serving so the potatoes absorb any residual liquid and the dish sets nicely.
Notes
- Use thinly sliced potatoes to ensure even cooking throughout the casserole.
- Draining fat after browning the beef helps reduce excess grease and fat content.
- Layering the ingredients evenly helps create well-balanced flavors in every bite.
- Broiling the topping at the end adds a crunchy golden crust to the fried onions.
- Letting the dish rest before serving prevents it from being too runny and makes it easier to serve.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for beef for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
