This Hobo Casserole Recipe is an easy and delicious one-pan meal that everyone in your family can enjoy! Layers of tender beef, potatoes, creamy filling, and cheesy goodness. This casserole the perfect weeknight meal!
Next time try the Cowboy Cornbread Casserole!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ A delicious comfort food recipe that the whole family will love.
✔️You only need simple ingredients that you most likely already have on hand so you can avoid a trip to the grocery store.
✔️ The oven does most of the work so you don't have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- lean ground beef - you could even use lean ground beef patties.
- yellow potatoes
- Colby Jack cheese
- cream of chicken soup
- cream of celery soup
- milk
- all-purpose seasoning
- Worcestershire sauce
- French’s fried onions
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Add the meat to a lightly greased cast iron skillet. Break up and pat ground beef so it's 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.
Equipment
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- cast iron skillet
- aluminum foil
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FAQ's
Yes, add a cup of mixed vegetables to the ground beef
No, there's no need to brown the ground beef.
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.
Deb's tips
- Don't have a cast iron skillet? Brown the ground beef in a large skillet and then add all the ingredients to a casserole dish before baking it in the oven. Make sure to grease it well or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
- Keep the French-fried onions off the casserole until the last minute so that they don't become soggy.
- If you don't think that your family can eat the entire casserole in one meal, you can leave the fried onions off half of the casserole before you broil it so that they aren't soggy.
- 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.
- 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.
Variations for the Hobo Casserole
- Add a small onion. Slice onion thinly and add a layer of onion top of the ground beef.
- Out of cream of chicken soup? Swap it out for a can of cream of mushroom soup to avoid a trip to the grocery store.
- If you love garlic, mince some garlic cloves and add a couple to your ground beef mixture.
- Want something a little healthier? Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey to reduce the fat.
- 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.
- If you are a veggie fan, you can also add diced baby carrots, green bell pepper, or zucchini to the ground beef mixture.
- 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. The kids will love having their own serving!
Storage
Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze - 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 - Heat covered with aluminum foil in a 350°F oven until warmed through. You can also reheat single servings in the microwave until warm all the way through.
Related recipes
- 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.
- Doritos Casserole is a great way to switch up your regular meal rotation and still make something that picky eaters will enjoy.
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.
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If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Hobo Casserole Recipe
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
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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.
Rita Joy
Ok...looking at the pictures of this hobo casserole recipe is making me drool. It looks SO delicious! I can't wait to try it.
Sharon
Hobo casserole just might be my new favorite weeknight dinner solution! SO easy and cheesy!
Bowl Me Over
Easy and cheesy are my two favorite words when it comes to dinner time! Thanks Sharon, glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Camden Rusincovitch
This hobo casserole looks so good! Do you think this recipe would work well with non-dairy products? I'm very lactose intolerant but would still love to try it out!
Holly
This hobo casserole recipe is one of my go-to recipes when my kids are all home from school and we get to have a relaxing family dinner!
Holly
This hobo casserole recipe is one of my go-to recipes when my kids are all home from school and we get to have a relaxing family dinner! Everyone loves it!
One Crazy House
You already had me at "one-pan dish" and then I saw "cheese".... DEFINITELY making this hobo casserole recipe ASAP!
Brandi
I had never heard of hobo casserole and my family was dubious, but when I told them it contained cheese and fried onions on top they were all in. lol Turns out it was a great recipe and one that I'm sure we'll make again!
Alyssa
I've never heard of hobo casserole before. This sounds like a perfect weeknight dinner for my family. Can't wait to give this a try!
Kristen
I love that I can picture making this Hobo casserole recipe for anything ranging from a Thanksgiving side dish, to an "I'm scraping rock bottom in the fridge and pantry and need to go shopping" meal! Not many dishes have that kind of range!
Cynthia Rusincovitch
Hobo casserole is a guilty pleasure of mine! I hadn't had it since I was a kid until I found your recipe. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!
Lisa A Miller
Can canned potatoes be used for this recipe? Would I need to adjust cooking times as well?
Bowl Me Over
Canned potatoes are already cooked so it would change the cooking time. Unfortunately, I haven't made this with cooked potatoes so I can't advise on the change in time for baking the dish. I would think it would take about 30 minutes. Let me know how it turns out for you!
Stephanie
Hello! I was wondering if I would be able to pre-make this recipe and store in the refrigerator a few days before I would like to serve it. I like to prepare things and have ready to go in the oven after a busy week night!
Bowl Me Over
Great question Stephanie! You can definitely assemble the casserole in the morning and refrigerate it. Then remove it from the refrigerator. Allow it to sit on the counter for 15-20 minutes for the dish to come to room temperature. Then place it in the preheated oven and bake. I would add 10-15 minutes to the cooking time as the cold casserole dish may take a little longer to cook. I wouldn't make it more than a day in advance as sliced potatoes should be cooked within 24 hours. Enjoy the recipe!! Thanks for supporting the blog!!
Maddie Perreault
Soo good and easy loved it as did my family
Bowl Me Over
That's awesome Maddie - we just love the Hobo Casserole, glad it is a hit with your family! I appreciate your support of the blog!
Kathleen
Yeah unfortunately no 'jump to recipe' button so I won't be trying it. If I have to scroll through how it was "everyone's favorite at the reunion " and the full tutorial that almost gets so descriptive it tells you how to unweap the meat....I'm out
Bowl Me Over
Seriously, it couldn't be more obvious Kathleen! The "jump to" button is at the top of the post. Sounds like you're having a rough day though. Why don't you have a cookie and a glass of milk? Maybe your day will get better!
Becky Hill
I think I will love all of them sounds like just what I needed thanks
Bowl Me Over
You're very welcome Becky, enjoy the beef and potato casserole!
The person laughing at you
There literally is a "jump to recipe" bottom on the top 😂 you're complaining about having to scroll down to get the recipe but yet you had to scroll down to make your comment 😂 get over yourself!
Bobbie Jo
WOW, just WOW - people complaining about no
* jump to recipe button * give yourselves a head shake... some people really do like to make a fool of themselves ( angry comments ). All I have to say is either go have your eyes 👀 checked, OR clean your eye glasses 🤓 or better yet, put your contacts in.
People living a miserable life, I guess.
Have a great day 😀 PEEPS
Bowl Me Over
Seriously, it definitely makes you wonder sometimes! 🤦🏼♀️ I appreciate your support Bobbie Jo! Enjoy the recipes!!
Melody
LMBOFFF I felt the same way, I'm going to make mines for the 1st time tonight 🤞🏾🤞🏾
Bowl Me Over
Enjoy the casserole!!
Connie Mehl
I agree with Kathleen, NO recipe 😡
Bowl Me Over
You scrolled right by the recipe card to complain about it Connie, LOL! Give it another look, it's right there. Good luck, and enjoy the recipe!
Beth
How much would i need to double it the receipt i have a large family
Bowl Me Over
You'll double all of the ingredients if you're doubling the recipe. You'd be better off using two casserole dishes as well, rather than one giant one. Or your can use the slider bar. Hoover your cursor over the servings number. You can change the number of servings and it will automatically change the amount of the ingredients. Enjoy the casserole Beth!
Michelle Roush
I’m just curious about the grease from the ground beef? Anytime I cook with ground beef I drain the grease from the pan.
Bowl Me Over
As long as you're using lean ground beef in the hobo casserole recipe, it shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for checking Michelle, I hope you give it a try, it's SO good!!
Carol
Can you do this in the crockpot?
Bowl Me Over
I have this recipe specifically developed for the crockpot. It's super cheesy and amazing. Give it a try Carol! https://bowl-me-over.com/crockpot-hamburger-potato-casserole/
Brittany
You had me hooked on the Hobo casserole with the words "one pan meal!"