Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe
This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef recipe is a comforting and hearty baked dish featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, and a blend of melted cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Easy to prepare and perfect for a family dinner, it combines savory flavors with a creamy texture for a satisfying meal.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Potato Layer
- 4–5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Cheese and Liquids
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- 1/4 cup milk (optional, for creaminess)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cook Ground Beef. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook while breaking it apart with a spoon until browned and fully cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the cooked ground beef in the skillet. Cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the onion becomes soft and translucent, allowing their flavors to meld with the beef.
- Layer Potatoes. Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly at the bottom of the greased baking dish. Then arrange the thinly sliced potatoes in a single layer on top. Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, dried Italian seasoning, and paprika for added flavor.
- Add Cheese and Liquids. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan evenly over the potatoes. Pour the beef broth or water around the edges of the casserole to help the potatoes stay moist during baking. Optionally, drizzle milk on top for a creamier texture.
- Bake with Foil Cover. Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the potatoes to cook and flavors to blend.
- Finish Baking Uncovered. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and Serve. Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- For an extra creamy casserole, add the optional milk before baking.
- You can substitute the beef broth with water if preferred.
- Make sure to slice the potatoes thinly for even cooking.
- Drain excess fat after cooking the ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Keywords: hobo casserole, ground beef casserole, baked ground beef, potato casserole, comfort food, easy dinner recipe, cheesy casserole