Disclaimer: This website may include affiliate links and advertisements, which help us share delicious recipes with you. For more details, please read our disclosure policy.
Hobo Casserole: A Family Favorite
Hobo Casserole is a satisfying dish packed with beef, cheese, and comforting flavors that your entire family will adore. With tender potatoes enveloped in a creamy sauce and perfectly browned beef, this recipe is not only quick to prepare but also makes for an excellent make-ahead meal!
Why You’ll Adore This Recipe
-
Effortless Preparation: Hobo casserole comes together easily! You can prep it the night before and pop it in the oven about an hour before mealtime.
-
Cost-Effective: The ingredients are wallet-friendly, making this dish both easy to prepare and budget-conscious—what’s not to love?
-
Ultimate Comfort Food: Featuring classic ingredients like potatoes, cheese, and beef, this casserole delivers on flavor. Pair it with cornbread for a complete meal followed by decadent buckeye brownies for dessert.
Simple Yet Delicious
The charm of Hobo Casserole lies in its simplicity—using everyday ingredients to create rich flavors that everyone will enjoy. It’s straightforward cooking at its best!
Ingredients for Hobo Casserole
This recipe is perfect for a quick dinner since you likely have most of these ingredients already on hand.
How to Prepare Hobo Casserole
You’ll appreciate how easy it is to assemble this hobo casserole! I often prepare it the night before so I can simply bake it the next day—a hit with my family every time!
-
Preheat & Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
-
Cook Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked; break it into pieces as you go along. Season with salt and pepper then add chopped onions and bell peppers; cook until onions are soft.
-
Prepare Potatoes: Peel your potatoes and slice them thinly; place them in cold water while you work on other steps.
-
Mix Sauces: In another bowl, whisk together evaporated milk along with cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup until smooth.
-
Layering Time:
- Drain the potato slices thoroughly using paper towels.
- Layer half of the potato slices at the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
- Add half of your meat mixture over those potatoes.
- Pour half of your sauce mixture over everything followed by half of the shredded cheese.
- Repeat these layers using remaining ingredients.
-
Bake & Broil: Top off with crispy fried onions then cover tightly with aluminum foil before baking for about 75-80 minutes or until potatoes are tender (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C). Remove foil during last few minutes under broiler setting until golden brown on top.
-
Allow resting time: Let sit for about 5–10 minutes prior to serving so flavors meld beautifully!
Tips & Variations for Your Hobo Casserole
Casseroles offer great flexibility! Here are some ideas if you’re looking to customize:
-
Potato Choice: Opting for russet potatoes yields better results than waxy varieties like Yukon gold or red ones which may lead to excess moisture during cooking.
-
Meat Alternatives: Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted if preferred over lean ground beef.
-
Dry Those Potatoes: Ensure all moisture is removed from potato slices prior layering—excess water could result in sogginess!
-
Check Cooking Progress: Use a fork throughout different layers when testing doneness; sometimes longer bake times (upwards towards an hour twenty) might be necessary depending on thicknesses used.
-
Feel free experimenting! Swap out soups based on preference (cream of celery works too) or use any color bell peppers available—just aim for one cup total volume added into mix!
Storing Leftovers & Make-Ahead Options
Leftover Storage:
Store any leftover hobo casserole in an airtight container within refrigerator where it’ll stay fresh up till five days max! Reheat individual portions via microwave or warm entire dish back up at 350°F (175°C) around twenty minutes till heated through properly reaching safe internal temp again at least hitting above165°F(74°C).
Make Ahead:
You can assemble hobo casserole ahead-of-time covering tightly then refrigerate overnight ready-to-bake next day—but remember increase overall bake duration by additional twenty-thirty minutes due chilling effect from fridge storage beforehand!
Freezing Instructions:
For freezing purposes after fully cooked let cool completely first then transfer into freezer-safe container storing away till needed later down line thawing overnight inside fridge prior reheating same way mentioned above ensuring proper heating throughout once again reaching safe temperatures always checking internal readings accordingly too!
If you enjoyed making this delightful hobo casserole recipe consider trying out other similar dishes featuring hearty combinations sure tantalize taste buds further enhancing mealtime experiences shared amongst loved ones alike!