Hobo Casserole Recipe: Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Comfort in Every Bite

Hobo Casserole can well become your new favourite go-to meal if you’re looking for a warm, filling dinner that’s simple to prepare and ideal for feeding a group. Simple, reasonably priced, and nostalgic comfort abounds in this modest but delicious dinner. Rooted in Depression-era ingenuity and campfire cooking, the modern hobo dish has grown to be a mainstay in many American kitchens. We will walk through the traditional hobo casserole recipe in this post, plus provide some original ideas and pointers to help you make it your own.

What Is Hobo Casserole?

Hobo Casserole is named after the old “hobo packs” – campfire-cooked meals wrapped in foil. The packs were usually filled with meat, potatoes, and vegetables, tossed together with whatever was available. Over the years, the dish became a baked casserole, stacked with the same ingredients and topped with cheese or crispy onions. This casserole is known for being:

• Budget-friendly
• Super customizable
• Great for weeknights
• Kid-friendly
• A comfort food classic

Whether you’re cooking for a big family or preparing for leftovers, hobo casserole’s got you covered.

Classic Hobo Casserole Recipe

Here is the classic, proven hobo casserole recipe. It’s got plenty of meat, cheese, and is overall incredibly satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3–4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Optional: French-fried onions or breadcrumbs for topping

Instructions:

1. Program your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Ground meat should brown. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and heat until softened, two to three minutes. Add the ground meat and only break it up. Cook until browned and the pink is no more. Empty the extra oil.
3. Get the soup mixture ready. Whisk together in a small bowl milk, cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Arrange the casserole layers. Starting in a 9×13-inch baking dish (or comparable), place thinly sliced potatoes first. Add next a layer of the cooked meat and onion mixture. Drizzle some of the soup mixture. Till all components are used, keep repeating the layers; end with a last layer of potatoes with the remaining soup mixture.
5. Top the dish with foil and bake until the potatoes are soft, 45–55 minutes.
6. Add cheese in the sixth. Remove the foil, top with shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the surface, and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, until the cheese melts and puffs. For crunch, top during the last minutes of baking French fried onions or breadcrumbs.
7. Cool and serve—let the dish stand for five to ten minutes before presenting. This will be more sliceable and enable it to set.

Tips for Success

• Thinly slice the potatoes. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife ensures even cooking. If your slices are too thick, they might not cook through in time.
• Boil the potatoes if you’re short on time or want extra-soft layers.
• Let it rest. Like many casseroles, hobo casserole holds its shape better when it sits for a few minutes before serving.
• Make it ahead. You can assemble the casserole a day in advance, cover it, and refrigerate it. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.

Variations to Try

Hobo casserole is wonderfully adaptable. Here are a few delicious hobo casserole recipe you can try:

Tex-Mex Hobo Casserole

• Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese.
• Add 1/2 cup salsa to the soup mixture.
• Include a can of black beans and a sprinkle of taco seasoning.
• Top with crushed tortilla chips before serving.

Breakfast Hobo Casserole

• Use ground sausage instead of beef.
• Add a layer of scrambled eggs or whisked eggs poured in before baking.
• Use hash browns instead of sliced potatoes.

Vegetarian Hobo Casserole

• Skip the meat and double up on veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, and bell peppers.
• Use cream of celery or cream of potato soup instead of the mushroom.
• Add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or veggie cheese for richness.

Cheesy Bacon Hobo Casserole

• Mix cooked, crumbled bacon into the beef layer.
• Use a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
• Add a dollop of sour cream in the soup mixture for extra creaminess.

Serving Suggestions

Hobo casserole is pretty filling on its own, but if you’re serving it as part of a meal, consider adding:

• A green salad with vinaigrette to balance the richness.
• Roasted or steamed veggies like green beans, broccoli, or carrots.
• Crusty bread or dinner rolls for soaking up any extra sauce.
• Pickles or coleslaw for a tangy, crunchy contrast.

Storing & Reheating

This casserole makes excellent leftovers!

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 2–3 minutes.
• Freeze the unbaked casserole (wrapped tightly in plastic and foil) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

Final Thoughts

Hobo casserole recipe is the definition of comfort food — hearty, simple, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re making it as a quick weeknight meal or prepping it ahead for a busy day, it’s bound to become a favourite in your recipe rotation. Plus, with minimal prep and affordable ingredients, it’s a real winner for both novice cooks and seasoned home chefs alike.

So, grab your casserole dish, gather your ingredients, and dig into this delicious, no-fuss meal that feels like a warm hug from your kitchen.

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