Name: Bean Casserole Recipes Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef and Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 medium onion, diced; 3 large potatoes, thinly sliced; 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup; 1/2 cup milk; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon butter

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When I think about cozy dinners that stick to the ribs, this Hobo Casserole comes straight to mind. It’s one of those bean casserole recipes that feels like a hug on a plate. Layers of ground beef, tender potatoes, and a creamy sauce come together in a way that reminds me of family dinners where the smell alone could pull everyone to the table without a word. I love that it brings together the best of comfort food classics. It borrows from an old hobo beans recipe, has the hearty kick you find in a baked beans recipe with ground beef, and still feels like the kind of meal that deserves its own story next to a hobo bread recipe. If you’ve been hunting for ground beef casserole recipes easy enough to make on a weeknight, this one fits the bill. It’s hearty, no-fuss, and perfect for those days when you want dinner to be as simple as layering and baking. For me, this casserole also works as one of those go-to ground beef casserole recipes for dinner when I don’t want to spend hours stirring at the stove. It’s got everything: protein, starch, and that creamy texture that just makes potatoes and ground beef recipes timeless. Pull it out of the oven, let it rest a moment, and suddenly dinner feels less like a chore and more like a reward.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Hobo Casserole Recipe
3) Ingredients for Hobo Casserole
4) How to Make Hobo Casserole
5) Tips for Making Hobo Casserole
6) Making Hobo Casserole Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Hobo Casserole
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) Hobo Casserole
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This casserole is hearty and filling with ground beef, potatoes, and cheese baked together.
It’s one of the bean casserole recipes that doubles as a budget friendly comfort meal.
You can prepare it ahead of time and store leftovers for easy dinners during the week.
Customize it by adding vegetables, swapping the soup base, or adjusting the cheese.

2) Easy Hobo Casserole Recipe

I call this one of my favorite bean casserole recipes because it gives me that feeling of home without needing a long prep list. Imagine this: you brown some ground beef, slice potatoes, and layer them in a dish with cheese and soup. That’s it. Dinner in one pan. Twice in the first few bites, you’ll be reminded why casseroles like this never go out of style.

I’ve cooked a lot of family dinners over the years, but the first time I made this, I laughed at how simple it was. The kitchen barely had time to heat up before I was sliding the dish into the oven. That’s what makes it perfect for weeknights. It feels like a full meal without extra pans or fuss.

What I also love is how forgiving it is. Don’t have mushroom soup? Use chicken. Ran out of cheddar? Toss in mozzarella. This flexibility makes it part of my regular ground beef casserole recipes for dinner. It’s not fancy, but sometimes that’s exactly the point.

3) Ingredients for Hobo Casserole

Ground Beef: I use a pound of ground beef. It gives the casserole flavor and bulk. You could use ground turkey or chicken, but beef keeps it classic.

Onion: A medium onion diced small. It softens as it cooks with the beef and adds depth to the dish. Without it, the meat can feel flat.

Potatoes: Three large potatoes sliced thin. They soften into tender layers that hold everything together. I sometimes leave the skins on because I like the rustic texture.

Cream of Mushroom Soup: One can of condensed soup mixed with milk. It creates the creamy binder that ties the meat and potatoes together. It’s what makes this more than just beef and potatoes.

Milk: Half a cup. It stretches the soup into a smooth sauce that covers each layer.

Cheddar Cheese: One cup shredded. I always add a little more than the recipe calls for, because cheese is happiness baked golden on top.

Salt and Pepper: A pinch here and there to season the potatoes and beef as they cook.

Butter: A tablespoon to grease the dish so nothing sticks. That tiny layer makes cleanup easier too.

4) How to Make Hobo Casserole

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease your baking dish with butter. It’s a quick swipe, but it helps every layer come out easily later.

Step 2. Brown the ground beef and diced onion in a skillet. Cook until the beef loses its pink color. Drain the extra fat so the casserole doesn’t get heavy.

Step 3. Slice the potatoes thin. I like using a sharp knife or mandoline for even slices. Half go down first in the baking dish.

Step 4. Spread half of the beef mixture on top of the potatoes. Sprinkle cheese over that. Then repeat with the second half of the potatoes and beef.

Step 5. Mix the cream of mushroom soup with milk in a small bowl. Pour it evenly over the layers so everything bakes together.

Step 6. Top with the remaining cheese. Cover with foil and place in the oven. Bake for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake another 15 minutes until the cheese bubbles golden.

Step 7. Let it rest for about 10 minutes. The layers hold better when it cools slightly. Then scoop and serve.

5) Tips for Making Hobo Casserole

One trick I’ve learned is to slice the potatoes evenly. If some are too thick, they stay hard while the thinner ones fall apart. Consistency makes each bite balanced.

I sometimes swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken or celery. Each gives the casserole a new flavor twist. It keeps things interesting when you’re making this often.

If you like texture, add a layer of vegetables like peas or carrots. They soften but bring color and sweetness to the dish. I’ve even stirred in baked beans recipe with ground beef leftovers once, and it worked beautifully.

6) Making Hobo Casserole Ahead of Time

I’ve prepped this casserole a day ahead many times. It makes busy nights easier because you only need to slide it into the oven. Cover the dish tightly and keep it in the fridge until ready to bake.

For best results, wait to add the final cheese layer until just before baking. That way it melts fresh instead of clumping. I learned that the hard way when I reheated it once and the cheese turned chewy.

When I plan ahead, I sometimes bake the casserole halfway, let it cool, and then finish baking the next day. It’s like giving it a two stage flavor boost. That trick has turned this into one of my reliable ground beef casserole recipes easy to pull off when life gets hectic.

7) Storing Leftover Hobo Casserole

Leftovers rarely last long in my house, but when they do, I keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay good for three days. A quick microwave reheat works fine, though I like warming it in the oven to keep the potatoes firm.

For longer storage, you can freeze portions. Wrap them well and label the container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. It’s never quite the same as fresh, but still comforting.

I once packed frozen slices for a camping trip. It doubled as ice packs in the cooler, then dinner by the fire. That memory makes me smile every time I bake this casserole again.

8) Try these Main Course next!

9) Hobo Casserole