hobo casserole ground beef

Craving a cozy, comforting meal that brings back rustic charm and homestyle goodness?

The Hobo Casserole is a hearty dish packed with flavor and nostalgia, featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, melty cheese, and a velvety cream sauce.

Topped with crispy fried onions for crunch, this easy, oven-baked casserole is ideal for a simple weeknight dinner or a gathering that calls for satisfying, crowd-pleasing fare.

Ingredients List

Creating a flavorful and hearty Hobo Casserole requires just a few everyday ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need for each layer of this rich, savory dish:

Casserole Base

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 4 medium yellow potatoes (peeled and thinly sliced)

Cheese & Sauce Layer

• 8 oz Colby Jack cheese (freshly grated)
• 10 oz can cream of chicken soup
• 10 oz can cream of celery soup
• ⅓ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Crunchy Topping

• ½ cup French’s fried onions

Garnish (Optional)

• Chopped green onions or fresh parsley

Required Kitchen Tools

For a smooth cooking experience, it helps to have the right tools at your disposal. Here’s what you’ll need to make Hobo Casserole effortlessly:

1. Cast Iron Skillet (Preferably 10”) – Perfect for layering and baking the casserole evenly.
2. Mixing Bowl – Use a large bowl to combine your sauce ingredients.
3. Whisk or Spoon – Helps create a smooth and well-mixed sauce.
4. Chef’s Knife & Peeler – Essential for prepping the potatoes evenly.
5. Box Grater – For freshly grating your cheese.
6. Aluminum Foil – To cover the casserole during baking.
7. Oven & Broiler – The casserole is baked and finished briefly under the broiler for a crispy top.
8. Baking Sheet (optional) – Place under the skillet in the oven to catch any overflows.

With these ingredients and tools ready, you’re all set to craft a casserole that’s both satisfying and straightforward.

Prepping and Layering the Casserole

Creating the perfect Hobo Casserole is all about layering flavors and textures just right. Follow the steps below to build your dish with care and ensure a delicious result.

Step-by-Step Assembly

1. Preheat Oven:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This allows your casserole to bake evenly from the moment it goes in.

2. Prepare the Beef Layer:
Lightly grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet or an oven-safe baking dish. Add 1 pound of lean ground beef directly to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula or spoon. Press the beef gently into an even layer without browning or cooking beforehand. Season well with salt and pepper.

3. Add the Potato Layer:
Peel 4 medium yellow potatoes and slice them very thinly, about 1/8-inch thick. A sharp knife or mandolin slicer works best for even results. Arrange the sliced potatoes over the beef in overlapping layers, just like making scalloped potatoes, covering the beef completely.

4. Sprinkle the Cheese:
Evenly sprinkle 8 ounces of freshly grated Colby Jack cheese over the potato layer. This cheesy blanket helps bind the layers and adds gooey richness.

Cream Sauce Preparation

The cream sauce infuses the casserole with moisture, flavor, and that irresistible creamy texture. It’s simple to make but big on taste.

Mixing the Sauce

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the following ingredients until smooth:

• 1 (10 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10 oz) can cream of celery soup
• ⅓ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Once combined, spoon the sauce evenly over the cheese-topped potato layer. Use the back of your spoon or a spatula to gently smooth it out, ensuring full coverage of the surface.

Ready to Bake

After layering, your casserole is ready to go into the oven.

Cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil. This traps moisture during baking, allowing the potatoes to cook thoroughly and the flavors to meld together.

Place the foil-covered skillet in the preheated oven, with a baking sheet positioned on the rack below to catch any potential drips as it bakes.

Baking the Casserole

The magic of this recipe happens in the oven, where all the layers cook together into a bubbling, comforting masterpiece.

Oven Time and Temperature

With your casserole fully assembled and covered with foil:

• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 90 minutes.
  This long and slow bake time ensures that the potatoes soften completely and the ground beef cooks through, while the sauce thickens and penetrates every layer.
• While baking, your kitchen will fill with rich, savory aromas – a sign of the goodness to come!

Uncover and Add Crunch

Once the 90 minutes are up, it’s time to take things up a notch.

1. Remove the casserole from the oven and carefully take off the foil – the steam will be hot.
2. Sprinkle ½ cup of French’s fried onions evenly across the top for that perfect crispy, golden finish.
3. Return the skillet to the oven, but this time, place under a hot broiler for 2–3 minutes.
   Watch closely – you want a golden brown crisp, not burnt onions!

This final step adds a delightfully crunchy contrast to the creamy interior of the dish.

Garnishing and Serving

Once your casserole is out of the oven and the topping is golden, let it rest for 5–7 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set slightly and makes serving much easier.

Suggested Garnishes

• Sprinkle with chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant bite.
• Add chopped parsley or even a light touch of smoked paprika for a pop of color and subtle flavor.

Serve your Hobo Casserole warm, ideally straight from the skillet. Pair it with a light side salad or some buttered green beans for a balanced meal that’s comforting and filling.

Storage Instructions

Whether you’re meal prepping or storing leftovers, Hobo Casserole keeps well and is just as satisfying the next day. Follow these storage tips to maintain flavor and texture.

How to Store Leftovers

Once the casserole has cooled to room temperature:

• Transfer leftovers into an airtight container or cover the skillet securely with foil.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or put the whole skillet back in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes, covered, until heated through.

Freezing Hobo Casserole

Want to prep ahead or save extra for another day?

• Let the casserole cool to room temperature.
• Wrap the whole dish tightly with foil or transfer portions into freezer-safe containers.
• Freeze for up to 2 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy again, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven. Add fresh fried onions before reheating, if desired, to bring back that signature crunch.

Conclusion

The Hobo Casserole is the embodiment of easy comfort food—simple to prepare, deeply satisfying, and endlessly adaptable. From its hearty base of seasoned ground beef and tender potatoes to its silky cream sauce and golden onion topping, this dish is a family favorite that never fails to please.

With just a handful of basic ingredients and a little baking time, you can serve a meal that warms both hearts and bellies.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd, freezing portions for later, or reheating leftovers for a cozy night in, Hobo Casserole fits seamlessly into any home cook’s rotation. So grab your skillet, gather your ingredients, and bake up this timeless dish that turns humble ingredients into a casserole worth remembering.