Description
Hearty hobo casserole delivers classic midwestern comfort with ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables. Layered ingredients create a satisfying one-dish meal you’ll savor with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 3–4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 ½ cups (6 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for greasing the dish)
- Chopped parsley or green onions (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly lubricate a 9×13-inch baking vessel with cooking spray.
- Meat Foundation: In a skillet over medium heat, transform ground beef into crumbly fragments, integrating diced onions and minced garlic until vegetables become translucent and aromatic. Season with salt and pepper, then meticulously drain excess grease.
- Liquid Harmony: Whisk cream of mushroom soup, milk, and Worcestershire sauce into a silky emulsion.
- Layering Technique: Construct the first potato stratum across the baking dish’s base, seasoning lightly. Spread the seasoned beef uniformly, then cascade half the soup mixture for complete coverage.
- Secondary Composition: Arrange remaining potato slices in an overlapping pattern, drench with final soup mixture, ensuring thorough distribution.
- Baking Progression: Envelop the casserole in aluminum foil, bake for 45 minutes. Unveil, crown with shredded cheddar cheese, and return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, effervescent crust.
- Finishing Touch: Rest the casserole for 5-10 minutes, then embellish with freshly chopped parsley or green onions before serving.
Notes
- Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease completely to prevent a soggy, oily casserole and ensure a crisp, clean flavor profile.
- Layer Potatoes Evenly: Slice potatoes uniformly and overlap slightly to create consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture or undercooked sections.
- Control Moisture Levels: Use just enough soup mixture to coat ingredients without making the dish too wet, maintaining a rich but not runny consistency.
- Customize Cheese Options: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend to enhance flavor complexity and personal preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg