Description
Hobo Casserole is a comforting, hearty baked dish featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, melted Colby Jack cheese, and a creamy soup mixture. Topped with crispy fried onions and fresh herbs, this easy-to-make casserole is perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon all purpose seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Vegetables and Cheese
- 4 medium yellow potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 8 oz Colby Jack cheese, freshly grated
Soup Mixture
- 10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 10 ounce can cream of celery soup
- ⅓ cup milk
Toppings and Garnish
- ½ cup French’s fried onions
- Optional: Green onions or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the beef: In a lightly greased 10-inch cast iron skillet or casserole dish, add the ground beef. Break it up and cook over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
- Prepare potatoes: Peel and slice the potatoes into thin, even slices. Layer these evenly over the cooked ground beef in the skillet or casserole dish.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle the freshly grated Colby Jack cheese evenly over the potato layer to add a creamy, flavorful topper.
- Mix soup base: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, milk, all-purpose seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Assemble casserole: Spoon the prepared soup mixture evenly over the cheese layer, spreading it with the back of a spoon to cover the surface completely.
- Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet to prevent any spillover. Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the casserole is bubbly.
- Add toppings and broil: Remove the foil and sprinkle French’s fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole. Place under a hot broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions turn golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish your casserole with chopped green onions or parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Using thinly sliced potatoes ensures they cook evenly during baking.
- Covering the casserole with foil helps retain moisture for tender potatoes.
- The fried onions add a crunchy texture contrast; make sure to broil carefully to avoid burning.
- You can substitute Colby Jack with cheddar or your preferred melting cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
