Description
Hobo Casserole is a comforting, rustic baked dish featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, and melted cheddar cheese, all combined in a creamy mixture of milk and sour cream. This easy-to-make dinner is perfect for a hearty family meal, delivering rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Vegetables
- 4 medium potatoes
- 1 medium onion
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly, about 1/8 inch thick, for even cooking.
- Chop Onion: Peel and finely chop the onion to mix into the beef for added flavor.
- Cook Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef, cooking until browned while breaking it apart with a spatula.
- Drain Fat: Remove excess fat from the skillet to reduce greasiness in the dish.
- Add Onion: Stir in the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Season Meat: Mix in garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and paprika to the beef mixture.
- Add Creamy Elements: Stir in milk and sour cream until everything is well combined, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Layer Potatoes: Spread a layer of sliced potatoes on the bottom of the baking dish and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Add First Beef Layer: Spoon half of the beef mixture evenly over the potatoes.
- Repeat Potato Layer: Add another layer of sliced potatoes on top and season again with salt and pepper.
- Add Remaining Beef: Spread the remaining beef mixture over the second potato layer.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Add Cheese: Remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Bake Uncovered: Return to oven and bake 10-15 minutes more until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
Notes
- For a creamier casserole, consider adding a bit more sour cream or milk.
- Potatoes can be peeled or left unpeeled for extra texture and nutrients.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the beef seasoning.
- Make sure to slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
