Description
This Hobo Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, melty Colby Jack cheese, and a creamy soup mixture baked to perfection. Topped with crispy French’s fried onions and fresh herbs, it’s a perfect meal for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon all purpose seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Vegetables & Dairy
- 4 medium yellow potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 8 oz Colby Jack cheese, freshly grated
Soup Mixture
- 10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 10 ounce can cream of celery soup
- â…“ cup milk
Toppings
- 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.
- Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to a lightly greased 10-inch cast iron skillet or casserole dish. Break it up and cook over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare potatoes: Peel and slice the potatoes into thin, even slices. Layer these evenly on top of the cooked ground beef in the dish.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle the freshly grated Colby Jack cheese evenly over the potato layer to create a rich, melty layer.
- Mix soup base: In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, milk, all-purpose seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk thoroughly until smooth.
- Assemble casserole: Spoon the creamy soup mixture over the cheese layer, spreading it evenly with the back of a spoon to cover all areas.
- Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet to catch any spillover. Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes to allow potatoes to become tender and flavors to meld.
- Add toppings and broil: Remove the foil, sprinkle the French’s fried onions evenly over the top, then place under a hot broiler for 2-3 minutes until the onions are golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions or parsley. Serve the casserole hot and enjoy this classic, comforting dish.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease in the casserole.
- Thinly slicing potatoes helps them cook evenly and become tender within the baking time.
- Covering the dish during baking prevents the casserole from drying out.
- The crispy fried onions added at the end give a delicious crunchy texture contrast.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
