Easy Hobo Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Easy Hobo Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for busy weeknights. Combining ground meat, fresh vegetables, and creamy mushroom soup, it’s a simple one-dish meal that the whole family will enjoy.

The dish is a close-up view of a mixed stew on a white plate, showing about three layers of ingredients. The bottom layer has soft, chunky pieces of white and light yellow potatoes, some seasoned with black specks. The middle layer contains bright orange carrot chunks and a few vibrant green peas scattered lightly. The top layer is browned ground meat, mixed evenly with the potatoes and vegetables, giving the whole dish a moist and shiiny texture. The background is a white marbled surface, and the photo focuses tightly on the food to show its texture and colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups sliced carrots
  • 1 can (15 oz) green beans, drained
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ cup milk
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite blend)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground meat with the chopped onion and garlic until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
  3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked meat mixture, sliced potatoes, carrots, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and milk. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until everything is well coated.
  4. Step 4: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.
  5. Step 5: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Remove the foil, sprinkle cheese over the top, and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and vegetables are fork-tender.
  7. Step 7: Let cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • For a lighter version, use ground turkey and low-fat cheddar cheese.
  • Try swapping the cream of mushroom soup for cream of celery or cream of chicken for different flavor profiles.
  • Add a layer of sliced mushrooms or bell peppers for extra veggies.
  • If you prefer softer potatoes, thinly slice them or parboil before mixing.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the entire casserole in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. This dish is not ideal for freezing due to the texture of the potatoes and cream soup.

How to Serve

A close-up of a dish on a white plate, showing a mix of cooked ground beef, soft yellow potato chunks, orange carrot pieces, and small green peas, all coated in a brown sauce. The top layer is melted cheese with a mix of white and orange colors, bubbling slightly and speckled with black pepper. The textures vary from the smooth, melted cheese to the chunky, soft vegetables and crumbled meat. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other vegetables in this casserole?

Yes, you can easily swap or add vegetables like peas, corn, mushrooms, or bell peppers based on your preference and what you have on hand.

Is it okay to substitute the cream of mushroom soup with a homemade sauce?

Absolutely! A simple homemade white sauce or mushroom gravy can be used to make the casserole from scratch and control ingredients.

Print

Easy Hobo Casserole Recipe

Easy Hobo Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal featuring seasoned ground meat, tender sliced potatoes, carrots, green beans, and a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese and baked to perfection. This hearty casserole is perfect for a simple weeknight dinner that is both satisfying and flavorful.

  • Author: Windy
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Mixture

  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Vegetables and Sauce

  • 3 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups sliced carrots
  • 1 can (15 oz) green beans, drained
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ cup milk
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Topping

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite blend)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Cook Meat Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey with the chopped onion and minced garlic until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease to avoid a greasy casserole.
  3. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked meat mixture along with thinly sliced potatoes, sliced carrots, drained green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and milk. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat all ingredients with the sauce.
  4. Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the combined mixture evenly inside.
  5. Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to allow the vegetables to soften and flavors to meld together.
  6. Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden and the vegetables are fork-tender.
  7. Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving to ensure it sets and is easier to portion.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef to reduce fat content.
  • Use low-fat or dairy-free cream of mushroom soup for a lighter version or dietary preferences.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables like peas or corn for extra color and nutrition.
  • For a spicier twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper when seasoning.
  • Use fresh herbs like parsley or thyme as garnish if desired.

Keywords: hobo casserole, easy casserole, ground beef casserole, baked casserole, comfort food, one dish meal, cheesy casserole

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