Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

Hobo Casserole Ground Beef is one of those recipes that brings me right back to Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s farm. This simple, honest dish has been feeding families for generations, and for good reason.

Growing up in the Midwest, I learned early on that the best meals don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques. This casserole was born from that philosophy. I remember watching my grandmother layer thinly sliced potatoes over seasoned ground beef, top it all with handfuls of cheese, and slide it into the oven. An hour later, we’d all gather around the table for a meal that somehow tasted like home, comfort, and love all mixed together. The golden, bubbling cheese, the tender potatoes, the savory beef – it was everything a family dinner should be. Now when I make Hobo Casserole Ground Beef for my own family, I see that same satisfaction on their faces that I felt as a child. Time to get our hands cooking.

What Makes This Hobo Casserole So Special

This recipe has earned its place in my regular rotation because it delivers exactly what busy families need. Betty always believed that good cooking shouldn’t be complicated, and this casserole proves her point perfectly.

• Everything goes into one dish, which means less cleanup when dinner is done
• Uses ingredients that won’t break the budget and are easy to find at any grocery store
• Fills everyone up with hearty portions of protein, potatoes, and cheese
• Appeals to even the pickiest eaters in your household
• Makes excellent leftovers that taste just as good the next day

The beauty of this dish is its simplicity – there’s nothing fancy here, just good, honest cooking that brings people together.

The Building Blocks

Ground beef is the protein foundation that makes this casserole so satisfying and flavorful. I always choose 80-85% lean ground beef because it provides enough fat for flavor without making the dish greasy.

Potatoes create those tender, creamy layers that soak up all the delicious beef flavors. In my kitchen, I prefer using russet or Yukon Gold potatoes for their texture and how well they hold up during baking.

Cheddar cheese brings that sharp, tangy flavor that melts beautifully throughout the casserole. Freshly shredded cheese from a block melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.

Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, salty depth that complements the cheddar perfectly. This combination creates layers of cheese flavor that make every bite interesting.

Italian seasoning provides an herb blend that enhances the beef without overwhelming the other flavors. This simple addition makes the dish taste like you spent hours developing the seasoning.

Beef broth keeps the potatoes moist during baking and adds another layer of savory flavor. Using broth instead of plain water makes a noticeable difference in the final taste.

Onion and garlic build the aromatic base that makes this casserole smell as wonderful as it tastes. These ingredients are what transform simple ground beef into something memorable.

Paprika adds a subtle sweetness and beautiful color to the seasoning blend. This spice rounds out the flavor profile without adding heat.

From Start to Finish

Step 1. I’ve learned that starting with a properly preheated oven and a well-greased baking dish sets you up for success. Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.

Step 2. Heat olive oil in your large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks for about 5-7 minutes until it’s browned all the way through with no pink remaining. Drain off any excess fat to keep the casserole from being greasy.

Step 3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef and cook for another 3-4 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the onion turns soft and translucent and that wonderful garlicky aroma fills your kitchen.

Step 4. Spread your cooked ground beef mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This creates a flavorful base for the potatoes to sit on.

Step 5. Through trial and error, I learned that thinly sliced potatoes are the key to this casserole cooking properly. Layer the potato slices evenly over the beef, arranging them so they overlap slightly. Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.

Step 6. Sprinkle both the cheddar and Parmesan cheese generously over the potatoes. Don’t be shy with the cheese – it’s what makes this dish so comforting and delicious.

Step 7. Pour the beef broth around the edges of the casserole rather than directly over the top. This technique keeps the potatoes moist without washing away the seasonings. If you want extra creaminess, drizzle a bit of milk over everything at this point.

Step 8. Betty always emphasizes covering the casserole with aluminum foil for the first part of baking. This creates steam that helps the potatoes cook through evenly. Bake covered for 30 minutes.

Step 9. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes. The key I discovered is that the potatoes should be fork-tender and the cheese should be bubbly and starting to turn golden on top.

Step 10. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This waiting period lets everything set up properly so it’s easier to cut clean portions. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like that pop of color and freshness.

How to Store and Enjoy Later

I typically store leftover Hobo Casserole Ground Beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it stays fresh for up to 3-4 days. The flavors actually meld together beautifully overnight, making the leftovers something my family requests specifically.

This casserole is excellent for freezing and will keep for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. Betty’s freezing method works well because both the potatoes and cheese hold their texture remarkably well when frozen properly. Make sure to let it cool completely before freezing to prevent ice crystals.

For the best texture, I reheat this casserole in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, until heated all the way through. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes from refrigerated or 45-50 minutes from frozen. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick lunch, though the oven method keeps the texture more appealing.

Complete Your Meal

Easy Vegetable Soup – A light, fresh vegetable soup makes a perfect starter that balances the richness of this hearty casserole.

Garden Salad – A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette provides refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy casserole. The cool, crunchy vegetables cut through the richness beautifully.

Steamed Green Beans – Simple green beans with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of salt add color and a healthy vegetable side without much extra effort.

Best Cabbage Soup Recipe – This light, flavorful soup pairs wonderfully with the substantial casserole for a complete, satisfying meal.

Roasted Carrots – Carrots roasted with a touch of honey and thyme bring a slightly sweet element that complements the savory beef and potatoes.

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes – For potato lovers, these make an indulgent side that turns dinner into a special occasion.

Crusty Bread – A warm loaf of crusty bread is perfect for soaking up any extra sauce and cheese from the casserole.

Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta – Another comforting ground beef dish that works well when serving a larger crowd.

FAQs

Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

Delicious casserole with tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and melted cheese all baked together into a comforting family dinner

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6 portions

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 475

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 4 medium potatoes thinly sliced
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• salt and pepper to taste
• 0.5 cup beef broth or water
• 0.25 cup milk optional, for creaminess
• fresh parsley optional for garnish

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• large skillet
• Aluminum foil

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if needed.
3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
4. Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
5. Layer the thinly sliced potatoes on top of the ground beef, arranging them evenly. Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
6. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheese over the potatoes.
7. Pour the beef broth (or water) around the edges of the casserole to keep the potatoes moist while baking. Optionally, drizzle with milk for extra creaminess.
8. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
9. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
10. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

Notes

Slice potatoes thinly and uniformly for even cooking. Drain excess fat from ground beef for a healthier dish. Use beef broth for more flavor or water for a lighter version. Add milk for extra creaminess if desired. A mandoline slicer helps create evenly thin potato slices. Layer potatoes in an overlapping pattern for best coverage. Don’t skip covering with foil initially – this helps steam the potatoes. Let casserole rest 5 minutes before serving for easier slicing.