I recently whipped up an easy beef casserole that quickly became a reliable go-to in my kitchen. Combining savory ground beef, tender potatoes, crisp onions, garlic, and melted cheddar with a creamy mushroom base, this dish is a hit for family dinners. I love crafting such incredibly satisfying hearty meals.
I love making meals that are both hearty and quick and this Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef and Potatoes is one of my go-to recipes when I need to feed a crowd. It has everything I need to whip up a satisfying dinner; just 1 lb of ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, a chopped onion, and if you like a little extra crunch, some diced green bell pepper is awesome too.
I add minced garlic, a can of cream of mushroom soup, a splash of milk, and a generous cup of shredded cheddar cheese. A pinch of salt, some pepper and a little dried thyme really tie it all together.
Its simple ingredients make it a perfect meal for large families or a group dinner when you are short on time. The flavors mix together in a way that makes every bite feel like a surprise.
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s super easy to throw together when im in a rush. It reminds me of those cozy family dinners, and the mix of flavors totally hits the spot for me. Plus, there’s something about that cheesy, creamy sauce over tender potatoes that just warms my heart.
I like this dish for a few reasons:
1. I can make it fast without too much fuss, which is awesome on busy nights.
2. The blend of ground beef, veggies, and cream of mushroom soup creates a yummy, hearty mix that never disappoints.
3. It feels like homecooked comfort food that makes me feel both satisfied and nostalgic.
If you need a quick and delicious dinner, this dish is perfect. Its easy prep and mouthwatering flavors always make me excited to dig in, even on the craziest days.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: Packed with protein, it gives a rich hearty flavor though sometimes a bit fatty.
- Potatoes: Loaded with carbohydrates and fiber, they bring a comforting, starchy goodness.
- Onion: Adds a punch of flavor and plenty of fiber while enhancing the savory taste.
- Green bell pepper: Offers a crisp texture and a slight sweet tang, plus extra vitamins.
- Garlic: Boosts the overall flavor, offering a bit of zest and healthy compounds.
- Cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully, adding a creamy texture, sharp taste and calcium.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme (optional)
How to Make this
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s browned; drain any excess fat.
3. Add the chopped onion to the beef and cook for about 3 minutes until it starts softening.
4. If you’re using them, toss in the diced green bell pepper and minced garlic, cook for about 2 minutes more.
5. Season the mixture with salt, pepper and a tsp of dried thyme if you like that extra flavor.
6. In a separate bowl, stir together the can of cream of mushroom soup with the ½ cup milk until smooth.
7. In a greased casserole dish, lay down the thinly sliced potatoes in an even layer.
8. Spread your beef mixture evenly on top of the potatoes.
9. Pour the soup and milk mix over everything so it covers well.
10. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is all melted and bubbly. Enjoy your quick and delicious dinner!
Equipment Needed
1. Oven – Essential for baking; also helps with even heat distribution for tender potatoes.
2. Large skillet – Necessary for browning ground beef and softening veggies; using a heavy-bottomed one helps with even cooking.
3. Spatula – To stir and flip the meat and vegetables ensuring they cook evenly.
4. Knife – Required to chop the onion (and bell pepper if using) into bite-size pieces; proper knife skills can reduce prep time and waste.
5. Cutting board – Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables while preventing damage to your countertop.
6. Mixing bowl – Needed to stir together the cream of mushroom soup and milk for a smooth, lump-free mixture.
7. Measuring cup – Helps you accurately measure the milk so the sauce consistency is just right, which can affect the dish’s calorie content and flavor balance.
8. Casserole dish – Used for layering the potatoes, meat, and toppings; ensure it’s large enough to hold all ingredients evenly.
9. Colander – Handy for draining excess grease from the cooked ground beef, helping to lower the fat content in the final dish.
10. Oven mitts – Important to safely remove the hot casserole dish from the oven without burns.
FAQ
Hobo Casserole With Ground Beef & Potatoes – Quick & Delicious! Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Ground beef can be swapped out for ground turkey or chicken if you’re looking for a leaner option
- If you don’t have fresh potatoes around, try using thinly sliced sweet potatoes or even frozen hash browns
- You can replace the cream of mushroom soup with a homemade version or use cream of celery soup as an alternative
- Not a big cheddar fan? Monterey Jack or even a mild Colby can work just fine
- If you’re out of dried thyme, dried oregano makes a pretty good substitute in this recipe
Pro Tips
1. When you’re browning the meat, dont overdo it. A quick brown is enough so the beef stays juicy and it also lets you avoid a greasy casserole by draining off the extra fat properly.
2. If you got a mandoline or something similar, use it for slicing the potatoes. Even slices help ’em cook evenly so you dont end up with some crunchy spots next to mushy ones.
3. Be sure to let the onions, garlic and bell pepper soften a bit more in the pan. Sometimes i rush it and end up with a mix thats too raw, so take enough time to get them nicely tender.
4. Experiment a little with extra spices like a dash of paprika or even a few drops of Worcestershire sauce. Just be careful not to go overboard, cause you dont want to hide the flavors of the other ingredients.
Hobo Casserole With Ground Beef & Potatoes – Quick & Delicious! Recipe
I recently whipped up an easy beef casserole that quickly became a reliable go-to in my kitchen. Combining savory ground beef, tender potatoes, crisp onions, garlic, and melted cheddar with a creamy mushroom base, this dish is a hit for family dinners. I love crafting such incredibly satisfying hearty meals.
6
servings
400
kcal
Equipment: 1. Oven – Essential for baking; also helps with even heat distribution for tender potatoes.
2. Large skillet – Necessary for browning ground beef and softening veggies; using a heavy-bottomed one helps with even cooking.
3. Spatula – To stir and flip the meat and vegetables ensuring they cook evenly.
4. Knife – Required to chop the onion (and bell pepper if using) into bite-size pieces; proper knife skills can reduce prep time and waste.
5. Cutting board – Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables while preventing damage to your countertop.
6. Mixing bowl – Needed to stir together the cream of mushroom soup and milk for a smooth, lump-free mixture.
7. Measuring cup – Helps you accurately measure the milk so the sauce consistency is just right, which can affect the dish’s calorie content and flavor balance.
8. Casserole dish – Used for layering the potatoes, meat, and toppings; ensure it’s large enough to hold all ingredients evenly.
9. Colander – Handy for draining excess grease from the cooked ground beef, helping to lower the fat content in the final dish.
10. Oven mitts – Important to safely remove the hot casserole dish from the oven without burns.
Ingredients
-
1 lb ground beef
-
4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
-
1 medium onion, chopped
-
1 green bell pepper, diced (optional)
-
2 garlic cloves, minced
-
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
-
1/2 cup milk
-
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
1 tsp dried thyme (optional)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it's browned; drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion to the beef and cook for about 3 minutes until it starts softening.
- If you're using them, toss in the diced green bell pepper and minced garlic, cook for about 2 minutes more.
- Season the mixture with salt, pepper and a tsp of dried thyme if you like that extra flavor.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the can of cream of mushroom soup with the ½ cup milk until smooth.
- In a greased casserole dish, lay down the thinly sliced potatoes in an even layer.
- Spread your beef mixture evenly on top of the potatoes.
- Pour the soup and milk mix over everything so it covers well.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is all melted and bubbly. Enjoy your quick and delicious dinner!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 250g
- Total number of serves: 6
- Calories: 400kcal
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Polyunsaturated: 1.5g
- Monounsaturated: 10g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 450mg
- Potassium: 700mg
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Vitamin A: 500IU
- Vitamin C: 15mg
- Calcium: 150mg
- Iron: 3mg
