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When you need a hearty meal that feeds the whole family without breaking the bank, this is your answer. This Hobo Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that’s hearty, belly-filling, and budget-friendly. It’s a rich, beefy dish full of ground beef, a creamy sauce, cheese, and potatoes layered together for pure comfort.
Whether you want simple hobo casserole allrecipes style, hobo casserole with potatoes, hobo casserole frasier version, or pioneer woman hobo casserole recipe, this easy hobo casserole recipe works perfectly. You can make it as hobo casserole recipe with ground beef and potatoes, hobo casserole with noodles, or hobo casserole with cream of potato soup. This ground beef and potatoes casserole features creamy sauce layering with soup for a budget-friendly weeknight casserole that’s a make-ahead hearty comfort food dish. This beefy cheesy layered casserole bake is a one-pan family dinner beef casserole with customizable vegetables in hobo casserole.
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Why You’ll Love This Hobo Casserole
1. Ultimate Budget-Friendly Meal – This is one of those budget-friendly weeknight casserole recipes that stretches your dollar. Ground beef, potatoes, and pantry staples create a hearty meal for under $15. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or big families without spending a fortune on beef dinner options.
2. Pure Comfort Food – This make-ahead hearty comfort food dish delivers everything you crave. The beefy cheesy layered casserole bake with tender potatoes and creamy sauce is ultimate comfort. It’s one of those beef casserole recipes that feels like a warm hug on a cold night.
3. Simple One-Dish Dinner – This one-pan family dinner beef casserole means minimal cleanup. Layer everything in one dish, bake, and dinner is done. No multiple pots and pans. It’s one of those easy casserole recipes that busy families need for simple beef dishes.
Ingredients for Hobo Casserole
This recipe uses simple ingredients to create restaurant-quality comfort food. You’re making the best ground beef casserole with affordable staples.
What You’ll Need
For the Casserole:
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 4-5 large russet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or use 2 cans mushroom)
- 1 cup milk or beef broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons butter
Optional Additions:
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 can cream of potato soup instead of mushroom
- Tater tots on top instead of sliced potatoes
Why These Ingredients Matter
Ground Beef and Potatoes Casserole – Ground beef is budget-friendly and flavorful. The 80/20 blend has enough fat for flavor without being greasy. Sliced russet potatoes in casserole create tender layers that absorb the creamy sauce. Together, they’re the foundation of this hobo casserole with ground beef classic.
Creamy Sauce Layering with Soup – Cream of mushroom soup creates that signature creamy, savory sauce. Mixed with milk, it becomes silky and coats every layer. This technique makes hobo casserole with cream of potato soup variations just as delicious. It’s what makes easy casserole recipes so approachable.
Cheese and Seasonings – Cheddar cheese melts beautifully and adds richness to this beefy cheesy layered casserole bake. The combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika seasons every layer. This creates depth of flavor in beef and potatoes dishes that tastes homemade, not boring.
Instructions for Making Hobo Casserole
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Step 2: In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat.
Step 3: Add diced onion to the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Set aside.
Step 4: In a bowl, mix together cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and milk. Whisk until smooth. This creates your creamy sauce layering with soup.
Step 5: Arrange a layer of sliced potatoes on the bottom of the baking dish, overlapping slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 6: Spread half of the ground beef mixture over the potatoes. Pour about one-third of the soup mixture over the beef.
Step 7: Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheese over the sauce. Add another layer of sliced potatoes, the remaining beef, another third of the soup mixture, and another 1/2 cup cheese.
Step 8: Top with a final layer of sliced potatoes. Pour the remaining soup mixture over the top, making sure to cover all the potatoes. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top.
Step 9: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 60 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the top is golden and bubbly.
Step 10: Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set and makes it easier to serve.
Hint: This pairs perfectly with longhorn parmesan crusted chicken recipe for a surf and turf night, or serve alongside honey garlic chicken breast recipe for variety.
Top Tip
Why is it Called Hobo Casserole? – Hobo casserole got its name from hobo dinners or hobo packets that were meals cooked over campfires by travelers during the Great Depression. These simple meals used inexpensive ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and whatever vegetables were available, all cooked together in one pot or wrapped in foil. The casserole version brings those same humble, budget-friendly ingredients into a baked dish that’s perfect for feeding families.
What Kind of Meat is Best for a Hobo Dinner? – Ground beef is the traditional and best choice for hobo casserole because it’s affordable, flavorful, and cooks evenly throughout the layers. Use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor. Ground turkey or chicken work for lighter versions. You can also use ground sausage for more flavor, or a mix of beef and sausage for variety in beef casserole recipes.
Slice Potatoes Evenly – Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice potatoes about 1/8 inch thick. Even slices ensure they all cook at the same rate. Thicker slices take longer to cook and may still be hard when the top is done. This is crucial for ground beef and potatoes casserole success.
Don’t Skip the Resting Time – After baking, let the casserole rest for 10 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken and the layers to set. If you try to serve immediately, it will be soupy and fall apart. Patience makes this one-pan family dinner beef casserole perfect.
My Hobo Casserole Journey
I discovered this recipe when I was looking for budget-friendly weeknight casserole meals that would feed my family without costing a fortune. I wanted something hearty and filling that used ingredients I already had. When I made it for the first time, Grandma watched me and said, “Jazzy, this reminds me of the casseroles we made during hard times. Ground beef, potatoes, and a can of soup – that’s all you need for a good meal. This is honest, simple cooking that fills bellies and brings families together around the table. Don’t ever be embarrassed about simple food like this. It’s the best kind.”
She was absolutely right. Now this is one of my favorite easy casserole recipes when I need comfort food that doesn’t require fancy ingredients. It’s become a staple for those weeks when the budget is tight but we still want something delicious. Every time I make it, I remember Grandma’s words about honest, simple cooking. It’s proof that the best comfort food doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated to be satisfying.
Substitutions for Hobo Casserole
Protein Swaps – Use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground sausage instead of beef. Ground pork works beautifully. For tater tot casserole version, use the same meat but top with tater tots instead of sliced potatoes. Each creates a different but delicious beef dinner variation.
Potato Options – Use sweet potatoes for a healthier twist. Try hobo casserole with noodles by replacing potatoes with cooked egg noodles. Use frozen hash browns for faster prep. Tater tots on top create a crunchy, kid-friendly version similar to cowboy casserole.
Soup Variations – For hobo casserole with cream of potato soup, use that instead of mushroom soup. Try cream of celery or cream of onion. You can even make your own cream soup base with a roux, milk, and seasonings. Each soup creates slightly different flavors in this make-ahead hearty comfort food dish.
Vegetable Additions – Add customizable vegetables in hobo casserole like frozen mixed veggies, green beans, corn, or peas. Bell peppers and mushrooms add great flavor. Carrots and celery make it more nutritious. This is what makes it such a versatile ground beef casserole.
Variations on Hobo Casserole
Pioneer Woman Hobo Casserole – The pioneer woman hobo casserole version often includes bacon, extra cheese, and sometimes ranch seasoning. Add crumbled cooked bacon between layers and sprinkle ranch seasoning mix into the soup mixture. Top with extra crispy onions for crunch.
Hobo Casserole Frasier – The hobo casserole frasier version from the TV show is simpler, focusing on just beef, potatoes, and cream soup. Skip the extra vegetables and cheese layers for a more minimalist approach. This creates the most budget-friendly weeknight casserole possible.
Cowboy Casserole – Cowboy casserole is similar but typically uses tater tots on top, adds beans, and uses a tomato-based sauce instead of cream soup. Replace the top potato layer with frozen tater tots. Add a can of drained pinto beans. Mix tomato sauce into the ground beef for a Southwestern twist, similar to flavors in creamy beef pasta.
Hobo Casserole Crockpot – For slow cooker version, layer ingredients in crockpot in the same order. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. Add cheese in the last 30 minutes. This hands-off method is perfect for busy days.
Breakfast Version – Make hobo breakfast casserole with breakfast sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs, and cheese. Perfect for brunch or breakfast for dinner, similar to techniques in chicken pot pie casserole comfort food approach.
Equipment for Hobo Casserole
9×13 Inch Baking Dish – The standard size for this one-pan family dinner beef casserole. Glass or ceramic works great. Make sure it’s deep enough for all the layers.
Large Skillet – For browning the ground beef. A 12-inch skillet gives you room to brown the meat properly without steaming it.
Sharp Knife or Mandoline – For slicing potatoes evenly. A mandoline makes quick, uniform slices that cook evenly throughout the beefy cheesy layered casserole bake.
Aluminum Foil – Essential for covering the casserole during baking. This traps steam and helps the potatoes cook through.
Storage Tips for Hobo Casserole
Refrigerator Storage – Store leftovers covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as everything melds together. This makes it perfect for make-ahead hearty comfort food dish planning.
Reheating Tips – Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. For the whole casserole, cover with foil and reheat at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of milk if it seems dry.
Freezer Storage – This freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Cool completely before freezing. You can freeze before or after baking. If freezing unbaked, add 20-30 minutes to baking time when cooking from frozen. This is ideal for beef casserole recipes meal prep.
Make-Ahead Strategy – Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed. This makes weeknight dinners even easier for budget-friendly weeknight casserole planning.
Grandma’s Secret for Hobo Casserole
Grandma taught me the most important trick for making this casserole perfect every time. “Jazzy,” she said while watching me make it one evening, “the secret to really good hobo casserole is to slice those potatoes thin enough that they cook through, but not so thin they turn to mush. About 1/8 inch is perfect. And here’s the other secret: salt each layer of potatoes as you go. Don’t just rely on the soup for seasoning. Each layer needs its own salt, or the potatoes will taste bland even if the beef is well-seasoned. And one more thing – dot the top with little pieces of butter before the final cheese layer. That butter browns the cheese and makes it extra delicious.”
She was absolutely right. Now I always season each potato layer separately and add those butter dots on top. Her other secret is to let the ground beef get really brown before draining it. She says that caramelized brown beef has so much more flavor than gray, steamed beef. These simple tricks turn good hobo casserole with ground beef into amazing, perfectly seasoned ground beef and potatoes casserole that everyone asks for seconds of.
FAQ about Hobo Casserole
Why is it called hobo casserole?
Hobo casserole gets its name from “hobo dinners” or “hobo packets” that were simple, one-pot meals cooked over campfires by traveling workers during the Great Depression. These meals used inexpensive, available ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, onions, and whatever vegetables could be found. The ingredients were wrapped in foil or cooked in a single pot over an open fire. The modern casserole version brings those same humble, budget-friendly ingredients into a convenient baked dish.
What kind of meat is best for a hobo dinner?
Ground beef is the traditional and best choice for hobo casserole because it’s affordable, readily available, and cooks evenly throughout the layered casserole. Use 80/20 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and moisture. Ground turkey or chicken work for lighter versions, and ground sausage adds more flavor. You can also use a combination of ground beef and sausage, or substitute cubed stew meat for a different texture.
What is Jackie Kennedy’s casserole?
Jackie Kennedy’s casserole was reportedly a simple, elegant ground beef and noodle casserole with sour cream and cheese. It was different from hobo casserole, featuring egg noodles, ground beef, tomato sauce, cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese for a richer, more refined dish. It was one of her family’s favorite comfort foods and represented a more upscale take on budget-friendly casseroles.
What is in cowboy casserole?
Cowboy casserole is similar to hobo casserole but typically includes ground beef, tater tots (instead of sliced potatoes), corn, beans (usually pinto or kidney beans), and cheese. It often uses a tomato-based sauce or taco seasoning instead of cream soup, giving it a Southwestern flavor profile. Some versions add jalapeños, salsa, or ranch seasoning. The tater tot topping makes it especially popular with kids.
Conclusion
This Hobo Casserole has become one of my favorite comfort meals, and I know you’re going to love how hearty and budget-friendly it is. It’s proof that simple ingredients can create the most satisfying dinners. Whether you’re looking for ground beef casserole options, beef casserole recipes, or just want some seriously good easy casserole for beef dinner, this delivers every single time.
If you love hearty casseroles, check out this Ground Beef Casserole from Allrecipes for another delicious variation.
Give this hobo casserole recipe a try and let me know what you think. Grandma and I love hearing about your comfort food successes!
Grandma’s Hearty Hobo Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9×13-inch baking dish Grandma always used her glass one.
- 1 Large skillet A heavy-bottomed one is best!
- 1 Mixing bowl For the "magic sauce," as she called it.
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 blend has the best flavor.
- 4-5 large russet potatoes Peeled and sliced 1/8-inch thin.
- 1 medium onion Diced.
- 3 cloves garlic Minced.
- 1 can10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can10.5 oz cream of chicken soup Or use 2 cans of mushroom soup.
- 1 cup milk Grandma sometimes used beef broth instead.
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Divided.
- 1 tsp salt Plus a little more for the potato layers.
- 1 tsp black pepper Plus a little more for the potato layers.
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp butter Cut into small pieces, This is the secret!
Instructions
- First, let's get the oven warm. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Grab your 9×13 inch baking dish and grease it well. Grandma always used a little [butter] for this part, swearing it made the edges crispier than non-stick spray.
- In your large skillet, cook the [ground beef] over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon and let it get nice and brown. Grandma always said, "Don't just cook it 'til it's gray, Jazzy. Brown bits mean flavor!" Drain off the extra fat.
- Add the diced [onion] to the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften. Toss in the minced [garlic] and cook for just 30 seconds until you can smell it, that’s the sweet spot! Now, stir in the [salt], [pepper], [garlic powder], [onion powder], and [paprika].
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the [cream of mushroom soup], [cream of chicken soup], and [milk] until it's smooth. This simple mixture is what holds all those humble ingredients together.
- Time to build! Arrange a single, slightly overlapping layer of your sliced [russet potatoes] on the bottom of the greased dish. Sprinkle them with a little extra [salt] and [pepper]. This is so important! Grandma insisted you must season every potato layer, or the whole dish will taste bland.
- Spread half of the seasoned beef mixture over the potatoes. Pour about one-third of the soup mixture over the beef. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of [shredded cheddar cheese]. Repeat the process: another layer of potatoes (season them!), the rest of the beef, another third of the soup, and another 1/2 cup of [shredded cheddar cheese].
- Top with a final layer of sliced [russet potatoes]. Pour the last of the soup mixture over the top, making sure it covers all the potatoes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of [shredded cheddar cheese]. Now for Grandma's secret: dot the top with those small pieces of [butter]. This makes the cheese extra golden and bubbly.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 60 minutes. After an hour, carefully remove the foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes. It's done when the potatoes are fork-tender and the top is beautifully golden and bubbling around the edges.
- I know it's hard, but this is the most important step! Let the casserole rest on the counter for 10 minutes before serving. This lets the sauce thicken up and stops it from falling apart when you scoop it.
Notes
- Grandma’s Big Secret: The key to this entire dish is slicing the potatoes thin (about 1/8 inch). If they’re too thick, they won’t cook through. A mandoline is a huge help here if you have one!
- Protein Swap: This is just as delicious with ground turkey or even a mix of ground beef and sausage. Use what you have!
- Soup Swap: If you’re not a fan of one of the soups, just double up on the other. Cream of celery or cream of potato soup also works beautifully.
- Storage: Leftovers are almost better the next day! Store covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F until warm.
