Hearty Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef: Easy Family Dinner (Print Version)

Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef brings comforting flavors to your table. This easy, hearty dish is perfect for busy weeknights and makes fantastic leftovers.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Meat, Dairy

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef (85/15 recommended)
02 - 4-5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
03 - 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
04 - 1/2 cup whole milk
05 - 1 (15 oz) can green beans, drained

→ Flavor Foundation

06 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings & Spices

08 - 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
10 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
11 - Optional: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

→ Finishing Touches

12 - 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Colby Jack

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that large skillet heated over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef and break it up with a spoon, browning it until there's no pink left. Oh, the smell of that beef starting to cook—it's the best! Drain off any excess fat; this is where I always remind myself not to get distracted by cat stories again. Then, add your diced onion and minced garlic, letting them soften up for about 5 minutes until they're fragrant and translucent. You'll smell that sweet onion and garlic combo, and that's your cue.
02 - Once the beef and onions are looking good, reduce the heat to low. Pour in your can of cream of mushroom soup and the milk. Stir it all together until it's smooth and well combined. This is where the Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef really starts to come alive, forming that luscious base. Make sure there are no lumps of soup hiding in there; I once had a little pocket of unmixed soup, and it was a surprise, to say the least! Season generously with salt, pepper, and paprika. Give it a taste; you're the chef here, so adjust those seasonings!
03 - Now for the good stuff! Gently fold in your sliced potatoes and the drained green beans into the beef and sauce mixture. Make sure everything is evenly coated in that creamy goodness. This step is all about getting those potatoes ready to soak up all the amazing flavors. Honestly, seeing all those ingredients come together, it just looks so hearty and promising. Don't overmix, just combine until everything is happy in the pan.
04 - Carefully transfer the entire mixture from your skillet into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly so that every spoonful of this casserole gets a bit of everything. I like to use a spatula to really scrape out all the delicious bits from the skillet; no flavor left behind! Give the dish a little shake to settle everything. This is where it starts to look like a proper casserole, ready for its cheesy crown.
05 - Sprinkle that glorious grated cheese all over the top of your casserole. Be generous! This is my favorite part, watching the cheese pile up. Pop it into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 25-30 minutes. You're looking for those potatoes to be tender when pierced with a fork, and for the cheese to be beautifully melted and bubbly. Sometimes, if I want it extra golden, I'll even turn on the broiler for a minute, but watch it like a hawk!
06 - Once it's out of the oven, resist the urge to dig in immediately! Let the Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef rest for 5-10 minutes. This little break allows the sauce to set up a bit and makes serving so much easier. Trust me, it's worth the wait for that perfect scoop. The kitchen will smell incredible, a mix of savory beef, creamy sauce, and melted cheese—pure comfort. Serve it up warm and watch everyone go for seconds!

# Notes:

01 - Personal cooking tip I've learned through experience: always drain the ground beef well.
02 - Storage advice that actually works from my kitchen trials: oven reheating is best for leftovers.
03 - Substitution I've tried that worked surprisingly well: ground turkey can work for beef.
04 - Serving suggestion that makes this dish extra special: a crisp green salad cuts the richness perfectly.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet
02 - 9x13 inch baking dish
03 - spatula

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 25g

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