Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe

There's one thing splendidly nostalgic, a couple of hearty Hobo Casserole effervescent away within the oven. With its layers of tender ground beef, creamy soup, and completely baked potatoes, this dish combines easy ingredients to create a comforting, home-cooked meal that is good for any night of the week.

I first found this recipe after I was trying to find one thing budget-friendly and straightforward to arrange on a busy weeknight. Over time, it has changed into one of our household’s most-loved dinners, because of its simplicity and unimaginable taste. Let’s dive into what makes this dish so irresistible!

Why You'll Love This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe

Get able to fall in love together with your new go-to dinner thought. This Hobo Casserole is a lifesaver for busy households and cooks in search of an reasonably priced, satisfying meal. First, this recipe is extremely simple to put together. With minimal prep work and only a handful of components, you'll be able to have this casserole prepared for the oven very quickly. Perfect for these nights whenever you need most taste with minimal effort. It's additionally splendidly budget-friendly. Using easy staples like floor beef, canned soup, and potatoes, this recipe stretches your greenback whereas delivering large on style. A hearty dinner for the entire household without breaking the bank. One of the most effective things about this casserole is how versatile it is. You can customise the layers to fit your household's tastes or what you could have available. Add further veggies, swap the soup, or strive completely different seasonings – the probabilities are limitless. Finally, it is pure consolation meals at its best. Each chunk is wealthy, flavorful, and satisfying, with layers of creamy sauce, savory beef, and tender potatoes. It's the type of meal everybody on the desk will devour.

Ingredients

Ingredients Notes

The fantastic thing about Hobo Casserole lies in its simplicity. With just some pantry staples and contemporary components, you'll be able to whip up a dish that’s filled with taste. The base of this recipe is ground beef, which provides a hearty and savory layer. For the most effective taste, I like to recommend utilizing 80/20 floor beef, as the marginally greater fats content keeps it juicy and flavorful. Be certain to empty any extra grease after browning. Cream of mushroom soup is the key to the creamy, wealthy sauce. It’s basic, however, you'll be able to substitute it with cream of chicken and even cheddar cheese soup for a twist. For a homemade contact, you might make your individual cream soup from scratch. Next up are potatoes, sliced thinly to create a young, golden layer on high. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work best, as they maintain their form nicely throughout baking and take up the sauce fantastically. A sprinkle of shredded cheese takes this casserole excessive. Cheddar is my favourite for its sharp, tangy taste, however any melty cheese will do. Seasonings like salt, pepper, and non-obligatory garlic or onion powder add depth to the dish, whereas a little bit of paprika sprinkled on high offers a pop of colour and heat. For gear, you’ll want a big skillet to brown the meat and a baking dish (9x13-inch works nicely) to assemble and bake the casserole.

How To Make This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe

Making Hobo Casserole is as easy as it gets. Follow these steps to create a scrumptious meal your loved ones will love. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing your baking dish. This ensures the casserole won’t stick and makes cleanup simpler. In a big skillet over medium-high warmth, prepare dinner the floor beef till it’s browned and now not pink. Use a spatula to interrupt it into crumbles because it cooks. Once browned, drain any extra grease and season the meat with salt, pepper, and every other seasonings you want. While the meat is cooking, thinly slice your potatoes. Aim for slices about ⅛-inch thick to make sure they cook through evenly. Layer the casserole beginning with the bottom beef, unfold evenly throughout the bottom of the baking dish. Next, pour the cream of mushroom soup over the meat, spreading it gently to cover. Arrange the potato slices on top of the soup layer, barely overlapping them like shingles. Sprinkle with a beneficiant layer of shredded cheese and a dusting of paprika for colour. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45-50 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an extra 10-Quarter-hour, allowing the cheese to soften and the potatoes to turn golden and tender. You’ll understand it’s prepared when the potatoes are fork-tender and the casserole is effervescent. Let the casserole relaxation for about 5 minutes earlier than serving. This helps all the pieces set and makes it simpler to scoop out good parts.

Storage Options

Leftovers? Lucky you! This Hobo Casserole shops fantastically and tastes even higher the subsequent day because the flavors meld collectively. To the retailer, switch any leftovers into a hermetic container and refrigerate for as much as 3-4 days. Be certain to let the casserole cool completely before refrigerating to avoid condensation. For longer storage, you'll be able to freeze the casserole. Slice it into parts, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. It will hold nicely within the freezer for as much as 3 months. When reheating, microwave particular person parts or heat the casserole within the oven at 350°F till heated by means of. If reheating from frozen, thaw in a single day within the fridge first.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is splendidly adaptable, making it simple to tailor to your loved ones’s tastes or dietary wants. For a healthier twist, swap out the bottom beef for ground turkey or chicken. Both work fantastically and supply a lighter, leaner choice. Add some veggies for further vitamins. Sliced carrots, peas, and even green beans may be layered in alongside the potatoes for added texture and colour. Want to kick up the flavour? Stir a packet of onion soup mix or ranch seasoning into the meat earlier than layering. It provides a punch of seasoning that’s irresistible. If you are a cheese lover, experiment with completely different sorts of cheese. Pepper Jack provides a spicy kick, whereas Monterey Jack affords a creamier end. For a gluten-free choice, examine that your cream soup and seasonings are gluten-free, and also you’re good to go! With so many ways to make it your own, this Hobo Casserole is bound to become a staple in your kitchen. Give it a try tonight and watch it disappear from the desk very quickly!