Hearty Hobo Casserole: Ground Beef & Potato Bake (Print Version)

Hearty Hobo Casserole combines ground beef, potatoes, and a creamy sauce for a comforting family meal. Quick prep, easy bake!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 75 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 90 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Hearty Base

01 - 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
02 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
03 - 4-5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 3 cups)

→ Creamy Goodness

04 - 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk
06 - 1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, drained

→ Flavor Essentials

07 - 1 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1 tsp onion powder
09 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
11 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

→ Cheesy Topping

12 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your skillet nice and hot over medium-high heat. Toss in that ground beef and break it up with a spoon. You want it to get beautifully browned, all those savory bits forming. Then, drop in your diced yellow onion. Let it cook down with the beef until it's softened and a bit translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Oh, and this is where I always forget to drain the fat properly, so learn from my mistakes, okay? Drain off any excess grease; it's important for a delicious Hobo Casserole!
02 - Once your beef and onion are looking good, off the heat for a sec. Sprinkle in your garlic powder, onion powder, a good pinch of salt, and a generous crack of black pepper. Don't forget that little splash of Worcestershire sauce – it's a game-changer! Stir it all together until everything is well combined and smells absolutely heavenly. Honestly, this is where the magic starts to happen for our Hobo Casserole. Give it a taste; you might want a little more salt, I often do!
03 - Grab a 9x13 inch baking dish, no need to grease it, really. Arrange about half of your thinly sliced potatoes in an even layer across the bottom. Try to overlap them slightly, like little shingles. This creates a nice, sturdy base for your Hobo Casserole. I've tried just dumping them in, and it gets a bit messy, so take a moment to layer. It makes a difference in how it bakes and serves, trust me!
04 - Now, spread that seasoned ground beef and onion mixture evenly over your first potato layer. Get it right into the corners! Then, top that with the remaining sliced potatoes, creating another nice, even layer. This layering is what makes a Hobo Casserole so satisfying, giving you a bit of everything in each bite. I sometimes get a little impatient here and just pile them on, but organized layers are better.
05 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the can of cream of mushroom soup and the milk until it's smooth and lump-free. Then, stir in that drained canned corn. This is the sauce that brings all the elements of this Hobo Casserole together, making it rich and comforting. I've tried adding a little extra milk for a looser sauce, and it works if you like it saucier!
06 - Pour your creamy soup and corn mixture evenly over the potatoes and beef in the baking dish. Make sure it covers everything! Pop it into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 50-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the casserole is bubbly. The top should be lightly golden. Pull it out, sprinkle that glorious shredded cheddar cheese all over the top, and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Oh, the smell at this point? Pure bliss! Let your Hobo Casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overmix the beef, or it gets tough, y'know? Just break it up gently.
02 - Leftovers are actually better the next day, but cover it tight in the fridge, or it dries out.
03 - No cream of mushroom? Cream of chicken works fine, but it changes the vibe a bit.
04 - A sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end really brightens it up visually.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 9x13 inch baking dish
02 - large skillet
03 - whisk
04 - medium bowl

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 25g

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