Description
Hearty hobo casserole brings rustic comfort straight from midwestern kitchens, blending simple ingredients into a soul-warming meal. Savory ground beef mingles with tender potatoes and vegetables, creating a budget-friendly dinner that satisfies hunger and warms hearts.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4–5 medium potatoes (thinly sliced)
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, crumbling the meat thoroughly. Eliminate any excess grease.
- Incorporate diced onions and crushed garlic into the meat, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Distribute the seasoned meat mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange potato slices in an overlapping pattern directly atop the meat layer, creating a uniform coverage.
- Generously sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and paprika across the potato layer to enhance flavor profile.
- Liberally scatter cheddar and Parmesan cheeses over the seasoned potatoes, ensuring complete coverage.
- Gently pour beef broth around the dish’s perimeter, then drizzle milk across the top to introduce creamy richness.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and potatoes to soften.
- Uncover the dish and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until potatoes become fork-tender and cheese develops a golden, bubbling crust.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch before serving immediately.
Notes
- Customize meat options by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for different dietary preferences.
- Enhance potato texture by parboiling sliced potatoes for 3-4 minutes before layering to ensure faster and more even cooking.
- Create a low-carb version by replacing potatoes with cauliflower or turnip slices, maintaining the casserole’s hearty character.
- Boost nutritional value by adding finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach between beef and potato layers for extra nutrients and flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50–57 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 545 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg