Homestyle Hearty Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef (Print Version)

Hearty Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef. Enjoy this comforting, easy family meal. Perfect for busy weeknights & makes delicious leftovers everyone will love!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 60 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 80 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Meat, Dairy, Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Main Players

01 - 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
02 - 4-5 medium potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold), peeled and thinly sliced
03 - 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup

→ Veggie Goodness

04 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
05 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup fresh or frozen green beans

→ Flavor Builders

07 - 1 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
10 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

→ Finishing Touches

11 - 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

# Instructions:

01 - Get a big skillet hot over medium-high heat, then toss in that ground beef. Break it up with a spoon. You want it nicely browned, no pink bits, hon. This is where the flavor truly starts to build for your Hearty Hobo Casserole. I usually forget to season it here, so learn from my mistake – a pinch of salt and pepper now makes a huge difference! Drain most of the fat, but leave a tiny bit for extra flavor.
02 - Once the beef is done, toss in your diced onion and sliced carrots into the same skillet. Let them soften up a bit, maybe 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. You'll start to smell that sweet, oniony goodness, and honestly, it’s one of the best kitchen smells. Sometimes I get distracted and let them get a *little* too brown, but honestly, it just adds character and a bit of caramelized sweetness. Don't worry if it's not perfect!
03 - Now, stir in the cream of mushroom soup, green beans, garlic powder, a good pinch of salt, some black pepper, and that little splash of Worcestershire sauce with the beef and veggies. Mix it all up until everything is happy and coated. This is the flavorful base for your Hearty Hobo Casserole, so make sure it's well combined and smelling delicious. It should look creamy and vibrant!
04 - Okay, time for the fun part! Grab a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread about half of your thinly sliced potatoes evenly on the bottom. Try to overlap them a bit for full coverage. Then, top this potato layer with half of the beef mixture. Repeat these layers once more: potatoes, then the rest of the beef mixture. I always try to make my layers super neat, but honestly, it never quite works out perfectly, and that’s totally okay! It’s all going to meld together anyway.
05 - Cover the whole thing with a generous layer of freshly shredded cheddar cheese. This is, for me, non-negotiable. That golden, bubbly, cheesy crust is what dreams are made of, truly. I’ve been known to add an extra handful, just because I love a really cheesy top. It's the crowning glory of this Hearty Hobo Casserole.
06 - Pop that beauty into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 45-60 minutes. You want the potatoes to be fork-tender, the filling bubbling around the edges, and that cheese... oh, that cheese should be gloriously melted and slightly golden brown. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving; it really helps everything set and makes for easier scooping. Enjoy your Hearty Hobo Casserole!

# Notes:

01 - Don't slice the potatoes too thick, or they won't cook through properly; I learned that the hard way!
02 - Leftovers store well in the fridge for 3-4 days; tastes even better the next day.
03 - Ground turkey works, but beef gives it that classic, richer flavor that I prefer.
04 - Serve with a crisp green salad to cut through the richness and make it a complete meal.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large skillet
02 - 9x13 inch baking dish
03 - cutting board
04 - sharp knife

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 25g

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