Description
Hobo Casserole is a warm, comforting, and easy-to-make one-dish meal that combines ground meat, frozen vegetables, potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this hearty and customizable casserole is satisfying for the whole family, requires minimal prep, and bakes to golden, bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
Vegetables
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups diced potatoes or 2 cups hash browns
Dairy
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Other
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once fully browned, drain any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Combine Ingredients: Add chopped onion, minced garlic, frozen mixed vegetables, and diced potatoes to the skillet with the cooked meat. Stir everything together well. Then, stir in the cream of mushroom soup and season the mixture with salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Transfer and Top: Spread the combined mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top to create a delicious melted cheese layer.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly and the potatoes are tender when tested with a fork.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to let it firm up for easy slicing.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese for a creamier, better-melting topping.
- Gently mix ingredients to avoid turning the casserole mushy.
- Check potatoes for doneness by piercing with a fork before removing the casserole from the oven.
- Let the casserole rest after baking for easier slicing and serving.
- For a crunchy topping, add crushed crackers or breadcrumbs during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: hobo casserole, ground beef casserole, easy weeknight dinner, one dish meal, comfort food, cheesy casserole, quick dinner
