• Home
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Me
    • Work with Me
  • Video
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Video
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Video
  • Contact
×
Home » Recipes » Ground Beef

Hobo Casserole

Published: Apr 17, 2025 by Debra Clark · 57 Comments

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Hobo Casserole in a cast iron skillet and on a plate. With print overlay for Pinterest.

This Hobo Casserole Recipe is an easy and delicious one-pan meal that everyone in your family can enjoy! With layers of tender beef, potatoes, creamy filling, and cheesy goodness, it's the perfect weeknight meal!

A cast iron skillet filled with hobo ground beef casserole. There's a serving spoon, taking a big cheesy scoop to serve.
Hobo Casserole Recipe
Jump to:
  • Ingredients you'll need
  • Hobo Casserole Recipe
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • FAQ's
  • Variations for the Hobo Casserole
  • Deb's tips for the perfect dish
  • More recipes you'll love
  • Perfect pairings: what to serve with

What makes this recipe irresistible? Where do I start? It's the cheesy, rich deliciousness! Add to that you only need simple ingredients to make it.  And the oven does most of the work. Does it get any better than that?

We LOVE this recipe!!

Ingredients you'll need

Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements. 

Ingredients to make the dish, with print overlay.
  • lean ground beef - you could even use lean ground beef patties or ground chicken or turkey.
  • Yellow potatoes, russet or red potatoes. Use what you have on hand.
  • Colby Jack cheese
  • cream of celery and chicken soup - you can swap either for cream of mushroom soup to avoid a trip to the grocery store. 
  • milk or evaporated milk
  • All-purpose seasoning or Montreal steak seasoning.
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • French's fried onions
  • salt and black pepper to taste
Ground Beef Casserole in a cast iron skillet with a spoon taking out a big scoop.
4.97 from 27 votes

Hobo Casserole Recipe

Easy to make potato and ground beef casserole (Hobo Dinner) brings the flavor!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 477kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 4 medium yellow potatoes
  • 8 oz Colby Jack cheese freshly grated
  • 10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
  • 10 ounce can cream of celery soup
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • ½ teaspoon all purpose seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon worcestershire sauce
  • ½ cup French's fried onions

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Add the ground beef to a lightly greased cast iron skillet (10"). Break up and move around to be evenly layered.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Peel and slice potatoes and layer on top of the ground beef.
  • Sprinkle the grated cheese on top of the potatoes.
  • Add cans of soup, milk, all-purpose seasoning, and Worcestershire Sauce to a large mixing bowl. Mix well with a whisk.
  • Spoon over the top of the cheese layer, then smooth out evenly with the back of a spoon.
  • Cover with aluminum foil tightly, then place in the oven (with a baking sheet on the rack directly under it to catch any overspill while cooking).
  • Bake for 90 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, remove the foil, and sprinkle the fried onions evenly over the top.
  • Place under a hot broiler for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
  • Garnish with green onions or parsley.

Notes

If you don't have a large cast iron skillet, you can certainly use a 9x13" casserole dish, following the instructions as written above. 

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze this casserole. Let it cool completely before wrapping in plastic wrap or foil and placing it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. 
Reheat covered with aluminum foil in a 350°F oven until warmed through. You can also reheat single servings in the microwave. 

Love this recipe? Join the free membership group!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 477kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 913mg | Potassium: 1006mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 627IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 328mg | Iron: 4mg

    Step-by-step instructions

    This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.

    Step-by-step instructions to make casserole recipe. With print overlay.
    Instructions for the Hobo Casserole Recipe
    1. Preheat the oven.
    2. Add the meat to the skillet. Break up and pat ground beef so it's evenly layered and season.
    3. Layer the sliced potatoes over the ground beef.
    4. Sprinkle with grated cheese.
    5. Add the cream soup, milk, seasoning, and Worcestershire Sauce to a large mixing bowl and mix well.
    6. Spoon over the top of the cheese layer, smooth out evenly.
    7. Cover with aluminum foil tightly, then place in the oven. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes.
    8. Remove the foil, and top with fried onions.
    9. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.

    FAQ's

    Do you brown the ground beef first?

    No, there's no need to brown the ground beef.

    Why use lean ground beef?

    The beef cooks with the casserole. You don't pre-cook it. If you don't use lean ground beef, the fat will be absorbed into the potatoes and it will be much heavier. Or greasy - no thanks!

    Why should I bake a casserole with foil on the top? 


    Using aluminum foil on top of your casserole helps to trap moisture so that the casserole doesn't dry out while baking. It also helps to keep the heat and steam inside which will help your food cook more evenly.

    Cheesy ground beef and potato casserole on a plate with a fork.

    Variations for the Hobo Casserole

    • Add a small onion. Slice onion thinly and add a layer of onion top of the ground beef. 
    • If you love garlic, mince some garlic cloves and add a couple to your ground beef mixture. 
    • Add a touch of heat by adding a dash of chili powder, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper when you mix the soup and other sauce ingredients together. 
    • Swap out the French Fried Onions for crushed potato chips for a salty crunchy on top of the casserole. 
    • Make individual hobo packets using aluminum foil. These are fun to make on the grill when you're camping. The kids will love having their own serving!

    Deb's tips for the perfect dish

    My top tip is to cover the dish while baking. Use heavy-duty aluminum foil. If you don't have heavy-duty, use two layers.

    • My favorite garnishes are fresh parsley or green onions for a pop of color, but you could also top this easy meal with a dollop of sour cream. 
    • Keep the French-fried onions off the casserole until the last minute so that they don't become soggy.   
    • I've found that the best way to get a great cheese melt is by shredding your own cheese instead of picking up the pre-shredded stuff at the store. Just look at that cheesy stretch on top of the blog post!
    Plate filled with cheesy hobo casserole.

    More recipes you'll love

    • Turn this into a slow cooker recipe when you try the Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole!
    • This Creamy Beef Noodle Casserole is a delicious casserole that can be made ahead so that it's ready to bake when you get home on busy weeknights. 
    • Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe is a hearty meal that will feed the whole family, and it saves you so much time in the kitchen compared to the traditional version. 
    • If you love the combination, try the Hamburger Potato Casserole next!

    Perfect pairings: what to serve with

    • I love to serve something fresh and green like these 3 Ingredient Steamed Green Beans with this hobo hubby casserole. 
    • Looking for a simple and quick side dish that pairs well with this casserole? Check out this Steamed Brussels Sprouts recipe. It comes together in just minutes and tastes great! 
    • This Outback Wedge Salad is another one of my favorite recipes to serve with this hobo casserole recipe. It's easy to personalize and it's a healthy side that your whole family will enjoy.
    • Turn this into a full and yummy meal when you pair it with a crusty bread side dish like this Air Fryer Garlic Bread. Plus, you don't have to worry about oven space since the air fryer does the work.  

    Isn't this cheesy and delicious? I hope you really enjoy the recipe. It's a favorite for sure! Leave a comment or any questions you have about the recipe!

    More Ground Beef

    • Baking dish filled with colorful stuffed bell peppers topped with cheesy cornbread and jalapeño slices, garnished with fresh cilantro for a Tex-Mex twist.
      Cornbread Stuffed Peppers
    • Baked bell peppers stuffed with meat and rice in baking dish.
      Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
    • Saucy beef meatballs in crockpot with brown gravy. With serving spoon.
      Slow Cooker Meatballs and Gravy
    • Cheesy Taco Hashbrown Casserole in a baking dish topped with olives, tomatoes, jalapenos, and sour cream.
      Hash Brown Taco Casserole
    3.5K shares

    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      4.97 from 27 votes (11 ratings without comment)

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Dana Rapsey says

      April 05, 2025 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      I added onion, garlic, and an orange pepper to the hamburger to add more flavor. I only had 1 can of cream of mushroom and then added extra milk. It turned out great! Will make again!!

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        April 05, 2025 at 8:06 pm

        Great way to make it work Dana! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe. It's so good!!

        Reply
    2. Melissa says

      March 23, 2025 at 8:14 am

      Does it need to be baked in a cast iron skillet?
      Are there other options?
      I don't own one. 🙁

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        March 23, 2025 at 9:37 am

        Melissa, that's a great question, I'm sorry I didn't address that in the blog post. If you don't have a cast iron skillet, there's no need to go out and buy one. Use a 9x13" casserole dish or an oven proof skillet. Just follow the instructions as noted above. Enjoy the casserole!

        Reply
    3. Michelle Bogart says

      February 06, 2025 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      Another fantastic casserole. I used canned diced potatoes and since you cook it so long, they were tender but not mush. 9 x 13 pan in the oven and had no problems. I did use evaporated milk since I had some in the fridge I am trying to use up. With the loose layers I really expected it to be harder to scoop up, but it actually stayed together quite nicely after I let it sit about 15 minutes. Leftovers for tonight and we have agreed this is a keeper and will be repeated.

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        February 06, 2025 at 6:29 pm

        Evaporated milk is such a great substitute! It makes everything even more delicious and creamy. Thanks for sharing. Glad the recipe is a keeper!! Yum, YUM!!!

        Reply
    4. Margie Colby says

      January 16, 2025 at 9:54 am

      Can you assemble this in a casserole pan with pre-browned ground beef? Sounds yummy!

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        January 16, 2025 at 9:59 am

        I haven't made it that way. Using the precooked ground beef would change the cooking time and the potatoes wouldn't be done. However, having said that, if you precooked the potatoes (either boil whole or bake) and then sliced them, that would totally work! Enjoy the casserole Margie, it's excellent!

        Reply
      • Michelle Bogart says

        February 06, 2025 at 1:19 pm

        I did! We had it just last night. Cooked ground beef and onions. Added some minced garlic while it was frying. Drained the hamburger then I mixed the onion soup mix with it, just to make it easier. 9 X 13 pan, didn't have to use heavy foil and will definitely make it again.

        Reply
        • Debra Clark says

          February 06, 2025 at 6:28 pm

          Thanks for sharing Michelle - I appreciate all that great information!!

          Reply
    5. Anne says

      October 07, 2024 at 7:42 am

      5 stars
      surprisingly good

      Reply
    6. Charlene Moffitt says

      September 24, 2024 at 3:32 pm

      Can you cook this and freeze it for a dinner later ?

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        September 24, 2024 at 7:34 pm

        Absolutely, assemble and cook the casserole, then allow to cool and freeze. Enjoy Charlene!

        Reply
    7. Susan says

      September 22, 2024 at 11:23 am

      4 stars
      I made this for the first time today and the flavors were on point. However, I don't have a skillet, so I used a round glass casserole dish that wasn't shallow enough which I think makes a difference in how everything cooks together. I also had to use a different cheese that didn't melt very well, and I didn't know what kind of all-purpose seasoning to use, so I just used a packet of onion soup mix and skipped the Worcestershire sauce. The flavors were amazing, but I found that there was just too much soup, and the onion soup mix made it a little too salty for my taste. But definitely will try to make it again and will follow the recipe exactly next time.

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        September 22, 2024 at 2:01 pm

        Thanks for sharing Susan, I'm glad you made it work for you. There are several all-purpose seasonings at the grocery store, however most of the time I use this recipe on everything. https://bowl-me-over.com/chicken-seasoning-blend/ (Even though it says chicken) It's so flavorful and is the perfect blend of spices. I make a double-batch and just keep it in a jar with a screwtop lid. Enjoy the hobo casserole next time too, thanks for sharing. It's such a yummy recipe! 😋

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    Blogger Deb Clark smiling at camera holding a plate filled with a casserole.
    Welcome to Bowl Me Over!

    Hey I'm Deb Clark! I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over. We live in a sleepy little town just north of Portland in the beautiful Pacific Northwest... (read more)

    Everyone's Favorites

    • Spoon filled with chicken spaghetti over casserole dish.
      Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel
    • Ground Beef Casserole in a cast iron skillet with a spoon taking out a big scoop.
      Hobo Casserole
    • Sauce in bowl with spoon.
      Smashburger Sauce Recipe
    • Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole in white dish.
      Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
    • Quarter Pounder Hamburger with bite taken out. Burger is loaded with cheese, lettuce and tomato.
      How to Cook Frozen Hamburger Patties in the Oven
    • Close-up view of crispy smashed fingerling potatoes with caramelized garlic, herbs, and seasoning for a crunchy golden finish.
      Smashed Fingerling Potatoes

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Me
    as featured in

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2013 - 2025 Bowl Me Over, LLC

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.