Hobo Casserole With Ground Beef & Potatoes – Quick & Delicious! Recipe

I’m sharing Crockpot Dinners With Ground Beef that rely on one unexpected pantry staple to keep prep minimal and spark curiosity about how it all comes together.

Need a quick and delicious dinner? I toss together simple, slightly rebellious casseroles when I’m short on time, and this Hobo Casserole With Ground Beef & Potatoes hit that sweet spot.

I love the way ground beef and russet potatoes play off each other, making something honest but surprising, not just plain comfort food. It feels like there’s a sneaky layer of flavor hiding under the top that keeps everyone coming back for more.

I promise it’s not fussy, and it’s one of my go-to New Ground Beef Dinner Ideas when I need to feed people fast. Try it, dont say I didnt warn you, it’s addicting.

Ingredients

• Ground beef: high protein, iron rich, adds savory fat and hearty meaty flavor
• Russet potatoes: starchy carbs, filling and creamy when baked good for energy
• Yellow onion: gives sweetness and depth low calories adds aromatic complexity
• Condensed mushroom soup: creamy binder, adds umami and fat boosts comfort food texture
• Cheddar: packed with calcium and fat, melts beautifully gives sharp cheesy finish
• Mixed veggies: quick fiber vitamins color and slight sweetness bulk without fuss
• Worcestershire: little goes a long way, adds tangy umami lifts overall savory notes

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb ground beef (about 450 g), 80/20 is fine if you want more flavor
• 3 medium russet potatoes (about 1.5 lb / 700 g), thinly sliced or diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10.5 oz / 298 g) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas & carrots) or frozen corn
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 2 tbsp butter (or 1 tbsp olive oil)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish

How to Make this

1. Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C) and grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter or 1 tablespoon olive oil. If you want speed, either slice the potatoes thin or dice them small, or microwave the diced potatoes for 3 to 5 minutes to parboil them.

2. In a large skillet melt 1 tablespoon butter or heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef and the diced yellow onion, break the meat up and cook until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 6 to 8 minutes.

3. Add the minced garlic for the last minute, then drain off excess fat but leave about a tablespoon in the pan for flavor. Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and salt and black pepper to taste. Mix in the frozen mixed vegetables or corn.

4. Layer half the potatoes in the bottom of the prepared dish in a single even layer if sliced, or spread half the diced potatoes evenly if using diced. Lightly season that potato layer with a little salt and pepper.

5. Spoon the meat and vegetable mixture over the potato layer and spread it out evenly.

6. Sprinkle about 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef layer, then top with the remaining potatoes to cover. Dot the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter or brush lightly with oil.

7. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake at 375 F. If potatoes are sliced bake for about 45 to 55 minutes, if diced bake about 35 to 40 minutes, until a fork easily pierces the potatoes. If you parboiled the potatoes, start checking at about 25 to 30 minutes.

8. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup cheddar evenly over the top, and return to the oven uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is slightly browned.

9. Let the casserole rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving so it sets up, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley if using. Its easier to portion after it rests.

Equipment Needed

1. 9 by 13 inch baking dish (for the casserole)
2. Oven (set to 375 F)
3. Large skillet (12 inch or similar)
4. Cutting board
5. Chef’s knife (or a sharp knife)
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Sturdy spoon or spatula for stirring and spreading
8. Box grater for the cheddar
9. Aluminum foil (to cover while baking)

FAQ

Hobo Casserole With Ground Beef & Potatoes – Quick & Delicious! Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Ground beef: swap with ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner bake, use ground pork or lamb for more richness, or try plant based crumbles or cooked green lentils if you want it meat free
• Russet potatoes: use Yukon Gold for a creamier texture, sweet potatoes for a slightly sweet twist, or frozen hash browns to save prep time
• Condensed cream of mushroom soup: sub with condensed cream of chicken if thats what you have, or make a quick homemade version by melting 2 tbsp butter then stirring in 2 tbsp flour, whisking in 1 cup milk and 1 cup chopped sautéed mushrooms until thick
• Shredded cheddar: swap with Monterey Jack or Colby for good melt, mozzarella for a milder gooey top, or pepper jack if you want a little kick

Pro Tips

Pro tips:
– Parboil or microwave the potatoes a few minutes before assembling so they finish soft at the same time as the filling, otherwise you risk a crunchy middle. its a small step but it saves lots of stress.
– Brown the beef well and season it while cooking, then drain most of the fat but dont dump every drop, leave about a tablespoon for flavor. Stir a little cheese into the meat mix so the filling stays creamy and melts better.
– Use thin slices or very small dice for even cooking, and press the layers lightly so there arent big air pockets. If you have a mandoline it makes the slicing way faster and more consistent.
– Let the casserole rest at least 5 to 10 minutes before cutting so it sets up, and if you want a golden top pop it under the broiler 1 to 2 minutes at the end but WATCH it closely or it will burn. Also, you can assemble the day before and bake straight from the fridge, just add a few extra minutes.