Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Potatoes Recipe
Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef and Potatoes is a comforting, cheesy baked dish featuring layers of thinly sliced potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this casserole combines hearty ingredients with flavorful Italian seasoning, baked to golden perfection in the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4–5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced (¼-inch thickness)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup milk (optional)
For the Seasoning & Cheese:
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats, peel and thinly slice the potatoes to about ¼-inch thickness for even cooking in the casserole.
- Cook the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. Add the ground beef, season with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook until the meat is browned and cooked through.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a baking dish to prevent sticking. Layer half of the sliced potatoes evenly on the bottom. Spread half of the cooked ground beef mixture over the potatoes, then sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat the layering with the remaining potatoes, beef, and cheddar cheese. Pour the beef broth and milk (if using) evenly over the top to add moisture during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with foil to trap steam, and bake for 35-40 minutes. After this, remove the foil, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve & Enjoy: Allow the casserole to rest for about 5 minutes out of the oven to set. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy this hearty and cheesy dish warm as a satisfying main course.
Notes
- For creamier texture, use whole milk or substitute with half-and-half instead of ¼ cup milk.
- Thinly slicing potatoes uniformly helps ensure even cooking and baking.
- The casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
Keywords: Hobo Casserole, Ground Beef Casserole, Potato Casserole, Cheesy Casserole, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, One Dish Meal
