This Hobo Casserole is a hearty, budget-friendly dinner made with ground beef, sliced potatoes, creamy soup, cheddar cheese, and crispy fried onions. It’s simple, filling, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need a comforting meal without a lot of extra work.
Everything bakes together in one skillet or casserole dish until the potatoes are tender, the beef is savory, and the top is golden and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Hobo Casserole
This recipe is easy to prepare and uses simple ingredients that many families already have on hand. The ground beef makes it hearty, the potatoes make it filling, and the creamy soup mixture brings everything together into a warm and satisfying casserole.
It’s also a great option for feeding a family on a budget.
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and sliced
8 oz cheddar cheese, grated
1 can cream of chicken soup, 10 oz
1 can cream of potato soup, 10 oz
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
1/3 cup crispy French fried onions
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Add the Ground Beef
In a 10-inch cast iron skillet or a small casserole dish, spread the ground beef evenly across the bottom.
Season the beef with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Add the Onion
Sprinkle the diced yellow onion evenly over the ground beef.
Step 4: Layer the Potatoes
Arrange the sliced potatoes evenly over the onion and beef layer.
Try to keep the slices fairly even so they cook at the same rate.
Step 5: Add the Cheese
Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the potato layer.
Step 6: Make the Creamy Sauce
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of potato soup, Worcestershire sauce, milk, and Creole seasoning until smooth and well combined.
Step 7: Pour Over the Casserole
Pour the soup mixture evenly over the cheese and potato layer.
Use a spoon or spatula to gently spread it so the top is covered as evenly as possible.
Step 8: Bake
Cover the skillet or casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the beef is fully cooked.
Step 9: Add the Crispy Onion Topping
Remove the casserole from the oven and carefully take off the foil.
Sprinkle the crispy French fried onions over the top.
Step 10: Broil Until Golden
Place the skillet under the broiler for a few minutes, just until the onions are golden brown and crisp.
Watch closely so they do not burn.
Step 11: Serve
Serve hot and enjoy this warm, cheesy, comforting casserole.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 513 kcal per serving
Helpful Tips
Slice the potatoes thinly and evenly so they cook through properly.
Russet potatoes work well because they become tender and hearty when baked.
For extra flavor, you can brown the ground beef before layering it into the casserole dish.
If you prefer a milder flavor, use less Creole seasoning.
For a cheesier casserole, sprinkle extra cheddar on top before adding the fried onions.
Variations
Add sliced mushrooms for extra savory flavor.
Use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a lighter version.
Add frozen mixed vegetables to make it more filling.
Use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken soup.
Add a little garlic powder or onion powder for extra seasoning.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the casserole in the oven until heated through.
Final Thoughts
This Hobo Casserole Recipe is easy, comforting, and perfect for family dinners. With layers of ground beef, potatoes, creamy sauce, cheddar cheese, and crispy fried onions, it’s a simple meal that delivers big flavor with budget-friendly ingredients.
