Description
A comforting and hearty Hobo Casserole made with ground beef, layered thinly sliced potatoes, and a cheesy topping baked to golden perfection. This one-dish meal combines savory flavors with simple ingredients for an easy family dinner.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4-5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
Cheese and Dairy
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup milk (optional, for creaminess)
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook ground beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with beef and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent, blending flavors together.
- Layer potatoes and beef mixture: Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the thinly sliced potatoes in an even layer on top. Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, dried Italian seasoning, and paprika evenly.
- Add cheese and liquids: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the potatoes. Pour beef broth or water around the edges of the casserole to keep potatoes moist while baking. Optionally, drizzle with milk for extra creaminess.
- Bake covered: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow potatoes to begin softening and flavors to meld.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender, and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot for a satisfying, hearty meal.
Notes
- For even cooking, slice potatoes thinly and uniformly.
- Using beef broth instead of water adds more flavor to the casserole.
- Drizzling milk is optional but gives a creamier texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- You can customize this casserole by adding other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture.
