Description
Hobo Casserole is a cozy and hearty layered comfort meal featuring lean ground beef, sliced potatoes, cheddar cheese, and a creamy soup mixture, all baked to perfection and topped with crispy French fried onions for a satisfying crunch. Perfect for family dinners, this dish combines simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 1 Small Yellow Onion, diced
- 4 Medium Russet Potatoes, peeled and sliced
Dairy and Cheese
- 8 oz Cheddar Cheese, grated
- ¼ Cup Milk
Condiments and Seasoning
- 1 (10oz) Can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (10oz) Can Cream of Potato Soup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Creole Seasoning
- ¼ Cup Crispy French Fried Onions
Instructions
- Preheat and Layer Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). In a 10-inch cast iron skillet or a small casserole dish, spread the lean ground beef evenly and season it with salt and pepper. Add the diced onions over the beef, then layer the sliced potatoes followed by the grated cheddar cheese.
- Prepare Soup Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of potato soup, Worcestershire sauce, milk, and Creole seasoning until completely combined and smooth.
- Add Soup Mixture: Pour the prepared soup mixture evenly over the layered ingredients in the casserole dish, making sure it covers the entire surface for even flavor distribution.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the potatoes to cook through.
- Add French Fried Onions: After baking, remove the foil and sprinkle the crispy French fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Broil for Crunch: Place the casserole under the oven broiler for a few minutes until the French fried onions turn golden brown and crispy, adding a delicious crunchy texture.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the hobo casserole hot, savoring the rich layers of comforting flavors.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the Creole seasoning to 1 ½ teaspoons or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Potatoes can be parboiled for 5 minutes before layering to reduce baking time if desired.
- To make this dish gluten free, use gluten-free cream soups and French fried onions.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
