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A delicious and comforting Hobo Casserole is pictured as the featured image for this recipe.

Easy Hobo Casserole

This Hobo Casserole recipe is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal perfect for chilly evenings. Featuring ground beef, potatoes, vegetables, and a creamy sauce, it's easy to make, budget-friendly, and versatile, making it a family favorite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Large bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Oven
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • fork
  • aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the browned ground beef and vegetables with the diced potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
  5. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
  6. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 1 hour.
  7. Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole (optional).
  8. Bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the potatoes are tender. A fork should easily pierce a potato cube.
  9. Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly.

Notes

Don't overcook the potatoes; they should be tender but not mushy. Use a good quality baking dish for even heat distribution. Season generously with salt, pepper, and other spices. Adjust the liquid by adding more milk if the casserole seems too dry. Let the casserole rest before serving for the sauce to thicken. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes or microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes. Can be frozen for up to 2-3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.