Description
Hearty hobo casserole delivers comfort with ground beef, potatoes, and veggies layered in a satisfying one-pan meal. Comfort meets simplicity in this classic dish that brings family and friends together around a warm, filling plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce and Cheese:
- 1 (10 ounces/283 grams) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10 ounces/283 grams) can cream of potato soup
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk
- 8 ounces (227 grams) cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/3 cup crispy french fried onions
Instructions
- Prepare a robust foundation in a 10″ cast iron skillet or casserole dish by gently pressing ground beef into an even layer, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the meat’s natural flavors.
- Distribute finely chopped onions across the beef surface, creating a aromatic base layer.
- Arrange thinly sliced potatoes in an overlapping pattern atop the onions, ensuring complete coverage.
- Generously scatter grated cheese across the potato layer, allowing for maximum flavor distribution.
- Create a creamy binding sauce by whisking together chicken soup, potato soup, Worcestershire sauce, milk, and Creole seasoning in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Carefully pour the soup mixture over the cheese layer, using a spatula to spread evenly and ensure complete coverage of the casserole’s surface.
- Seal the dish completely with aluminum foil, protecting the ingredients from direct heat.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F (177°C) oven for approximately 1.5 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and ingredients to cook thoroughly.
- After baking, remove the foil and crown the casserole with a generous sprinkle of crispy fried onions.
- Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden-brown, crunchy topping that adds textural contrast to the creamy casserole.
Notes
- Optimize meat texture by using lean ground beef with 85% lean, 15% fat ratio for best flavor and juiciness.
- Enhance potato layer by thinly slicing potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness.
- Customize seasoning by adjusting Creole blend to match personal spice preference or dietary restrictions.
- Make dish gluten-free by substituting cream-based soups with homemade versions using cornstarch or gluten-free alternatives.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg