Description
This hearty Hobo Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, flavorful cheeses, and creamy soups for a comforting baked dish. Topped with crispy fried onions and garnished with fresh herbs, it’s a perfect family-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy all cravings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Vegetables and Dairy
- 4 medium yellow potatoes
- 8 oz Colby Jack cheese, freshly grated
- 1/3 cup milk
Canned Goods and Toppings
- 10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 10 ounce can cream of celery soup
- 1/2 cup French’s fried onions
- Optional: chopped green onions or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the ground beef: Add the ground beef to a lightly greased 10-inch cast iron skillet. Break it apart and cook over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.
- Prepare potatoes: Peel and thinly slice the potatoes. Layer them evenly over the cooked ground beef in the skillet.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle the freshly grated Colby Jack cheese evenly over the potatoes.
- Make the sauce: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, milk, all-purpose seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
- Assemble casserole: Spoon the soup mixture over the layered ingredients, smoothing it out with the back of a spoon for even coverage.
- Cover and bake: Tightly cover the skillet with aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet to catch any spills. Bake for 90 minutes to ensure the potatoes are tender and flavors meld.
- Finish with onions: Remove from oven, discard the foil, and sprinkle French’s fried onions evenly on top. Broil for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley before serving for added freshness.
Notes
- If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, transfer the assembled casserole to a 9×13 inch baking dish, following the same assembly and baking instructions.
- For a crispier top, broil a little longer, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- You can make this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat thoroughly in the oven or microwave.
- Frozen leftovers can be stored for up to 2 months; reheat directly from frozen in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice or 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
