Description
Hobo Casserole is a hearty, family-friendly dinner featuring layers of savory ground beef, tender potatoes, sweet carrots, plenty of cheddar cheese, and a creamy, flavorful sauce. This easy, comforting bake comes together quickly with simple ingredients and makes a filling main course perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Meat & Aromatics
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce & Seasonings
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion flakes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Dairy
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup sour cream
Vegetables
- 3 cups diced russet potatoes (about 3 medium russet potatoes)
- 1 cup diced carrots
Garnish
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking up meat, until no longer pink and the juices run clear.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked beef mixture. Stir constantly for 1 minute to coat and remove any raw flour taste.
- Create Sauce: Pour in the beef broth, followed by the dried minced onion flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir together and cook for another minute as the mixture thickens.
- Add Cheese and Sour Cream: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and all the sour cream until well combined and creamy.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the meat-and-sauce mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add Vegetables: Add the diced potatoes and carrots to the baking dish. Stir to evenly distribute the vegetables within the meat sauce.
- Top with Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake on the middle rack for 30-35 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. (Oven times may vary; check doneness before removing.)
- Finish and Serve: Remove from oven. If using, sprinkle dried parsley over the casserole for a fresh flavor and color. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Times may vary depending on your oven and size of potato pieces. If potatoes are still firm, bake longer until fork-tender.
- For a lighter casserole, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
- Add extra vegetables like peas or green beans for more color and nutrition.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 504 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 808mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
