This Hobo Casserole recipe is the ultimate comfort food dinner that's so ridiculously easy you'll wonder why you haven't been making it forever. Layers of ground beef, sliced potatoes, onions, and melty cheddar cheese baked into one hearty dish that's basically it. Comes out bubbling hot with crispy edges and tender potatoes that soak up all those savory beef juices. I make this whenever I need something filling that uses ingredients I already have in my kitchen.
Why You'll Love This Hobo Casserole Recipe
Real talk—this classic hobo casserole is one of those budget-friendly dinners that somehow tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
What Actually Works: This hobo casserole recipe layers seasoned ground beef with thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and cheese, then bakes everything together until the potatoes are fork-tender and the top is golden and bubbly. That's the whole recipe. One dish, basic pantry ingredients, about an hour total including baking time. Costs maybe $8 to feed a family of six. My kids actually eat their vegetables when they're baked into this. It's hearty enough for hungry teenagers but so simple that even my cooking-challenged roommate successfully made it. People always ask for the recipe thinking there's some secret technique.
Why Other Methods Fail: Most ground beef and potato casserole attempts mess up by slicing the potatoes too thick so they stay crunchy and raw in the middle, or they don't season each layer properly so it tastes bland. Some recipes overcomplicate it with cream soups that make it mushy instead of having distinct layers. Others bake uncovered the whole time so the top burns before the potatoes cook through. This easy hobo casserole keeps it dead simple—proper layering, right thickness, perfect results every time.
The thing that changed everything: Understanding that you need THIN POTATO SLICES and PROPER SEASONING for hobo casserole recipe success. My first attempt I cut the potatoes into chunky wedges because I thought thicker meant more filling. After 45 minutes the beef was overcooked and dried out while the potatoes were still hard and crunchy. Started slicing them paper-thin with a mandoline and suddenly everything cooked at the same rate with tender potatoes and juicy beef. Those thin slices are what makes layered hobo casserole actually work instead of being a dry, unevenly cooked mess.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Hobo Casserole Recipe
- What You'll Need for Hobo Casserole Recipe
- How to Make Hobo Casserole Recipe
- Top Tip
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- Storage and Reuse Instructions
- What to Serve With Hobo Casserole Recipe
- My Hobo Casserole Recipe Journey
- FAQ
- Easy Hobo Casserole Recipe
- Related
- Pairing
What You'll Need for Hobo Casserole Recipe
Basic ingredients from your fridge and pantry. This is the easiest beef and potato casserole you'll make this month.
Main Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Russet potatoes
- Yellow onion
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Butter
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Beef broth
Optional Add-Ins
- Bell peppers (green or red)
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh parsley
- Paprika
- Bacon bits
- Frozen mixed vegetables
Exact measurements in the Recipe Card.
How to Make Hobo Casserole Recipe
This hobo dinner casserole comes together in literal minutes of prep. The technique is almost embarrassingly simple.
Prep the Ingredients
- Preheat your oven to 375°F
- Thinly slice potatoes to about ⅛-inch thickness using a mandoline or sharp knife
- Dice onion into small pieces—you want them to cook down completely
- Grate cheddar cheese if using a block (pre-shredded works too)
- Season ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray
- Don't skip the thin slicing or your potatoes won't cook through
Layer the Casserole
- Start with half the sliced potatoes on the bottom of the dish
- Season this potato layer generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
- Add half the diced onions spread evenly over potatoes
- Crumble half the seasoned ground beef over the onion layer
- Sprinkle half the shredded cheese on top of the beef
- Repeat all layers one more time—potatoes, onions, beef, cheese
- The layering creates those distinct flavors in your hobo casserole with potatoes
- Press everything down gently to compact the layers
Bake the Casserole
- Pour beef broth around the edges of the dish—not directly on top
- Dot the top with small pieces of butter for extra richness
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam for tender potatoes
- Bake covered at 375°F for 45 minutes without peeking
- Remove foil and bake another 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden
- Potatoes should be fork-tender and beef fully cooked
- If the top isn't crispy enough, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end
- Let it rest 5 minutes before serving so layers set up
You'll have this amazing easy hobo casserole with perfectly cooked potatoes, savory beef, and melty cheese that tastes like comfort food heaven.
Top Tip
Slice your potatoes paper-thin for this hobo casserole recipe. Made this mistake three times using thick potato slices because I thought chunky meant heartier. After an hour of baking the beef was dried out and the potatoes were still crunchy and raw in the center. Had to microwave portions to finish cooking which made everything mushy. Started using a mandoline to get consistent ⅛-inch slices and suddenly the whole casserole cooked perfectly in the same time with tender potatoes and juicy beef. That uniform thinness is what makes ground beef hobo casserole actually work.
Also, season EVERY LAYER separately. Don't just season the beef and hope it spreads. Each potato and onion layer needs its own salt, pepper, and garlic powder or your hobo dinner casserole will taste bland in spots.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
The base layered hobo casserole is perfect but you can customize it.
With Different Proteins
Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Ground sausage adds more flavor and spice to your hobo casserole recipe. Italian sausage with mozzarella turns it into pizza-style.
Potato Options
Sweet potatoes work great for a different flavor profile. Yukon gold potatoes stay creamier than russets in your beef and potato casserole.
Make It Creamy
Add cream of mushroom soup between layers for a richer texture. Or make a simple cream sauce with sour cream and milk for extra moisture in your cheesy hobo casserole.
Add Vegetables
Layer in sliced bell peppers, carrots, or green beans. Frozen mixed vegetables work too. Makes your classic hobo casserole more nutritious.
Cheese Variations
Mix cheddar with mozzarella for extra meltiness. Pepper jack adds spice. Velveeta makes it super creamy and kid-friendly.
Crockpot Version
Layer everything in a slow cooker for crockpot hobo casserole. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours. Bottom layer might get crispy which is actually delicious.
Foil Packet Style
Make individual hobo foil packet casserole portions on the grill. Wrap each serving in heavy-duty foil and cook 30-40 minutes. Perfect for camping.
Storage and Reuse Instructions
Yeah, hobo casserole recipe keeps great actually—maybe even tastes better the next day.
Refrigerator: Cover leftover ground beef and potato casserole with foil and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat portions in microwave 2-3 minutes or whole dish covered at 350°F for 20 minutes until heated through.
Freezing: This easy hobo casserole freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap then foil. Thaw overnight in fridge and reheat covered at 350°F for 30-35 minutes. The potatoes might soften slightly but still taste great.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours before baking. Cover and refrigerate, then add 10 extra minutes to baking time since it's cold. Perfect for hobo dinner casserole meal prep.
Serving: Serve this hearty comfort food casserole hot straight from the oven. The flavors actually improve overnight as everything melds together.
What to Serve With Hobo Casserole Recipe
This oven-baked beef casserole is filling enough to be a complete meal but pairs great with simple sides.
Classic Options: Crusty dinner rolls, green salad with ranch dressing, or garlic bread. The sides balance out the richness of the cheesy hobo casserole.
Fancy It Up: Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts, a fresh coleslaw, or steamed green beans for a complete comfort food dinner.
Complete Meal: This family-friendly casserole goes perfectly with cornbread, biscuits, or just a simple side of applesauce.
Budget Spread: Pair this budget-friendly dinner with other easy favorites for a filling meal that doesn't break the bank. Everyone will be satisfied.
My Hobo Casserole Recipe Journey
First time I made hobo casserole recipe I cut the potatoes into thick chunks and layered everything without seasoning the individual layers. Baked it at 400°F thinking higher heat meant faster dinner. The top burnt black, the potatoes stayed rock hard, and the whole thing tasted like cardboard. My husband suggested ordering Chinese food.
Tried again using paper-thin potato slices at 375°F and seasoning each layer properly. Covered it with foil for the first part of baking. Suddenly the potatoes cooked through perfectly tender, the beef stayed juicy, and the cheese got golden and bubbly. My daughter who'd pushed her plate away the first time asked for thirds.
Then I made it without any liquid thinking the beef would release enough moisture. Everything came out dry and stuck to the pan. Started adding beef broth around the edges and got that perfect moist texture with crispy top.
Now I make this classic hobo casserole twice a week because I know the tricks—thin potatoes, season every layer, add liquid, cover first then uncover.
FAQ
What is Dolly Parton's 5 layer casserole?
Dolly Parton's casserole layers ground beef, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and green peppers in a baking dish. It's similar to hobo casserole recipe but includes tomatoes for moisture and sweetness. She seasons it simply with salt and pepper, then bakes until everything is tender. The tomatoes break down and create a natural sauce that's lighter than cream-based versions. It's a classic Southern comfort food that's budget-friendly and feeds a crowd.
How long do you bake hobo casserole?
You bake hobo casserole covered at 375°F for 45 minutes, then uncovered for another 15-20 minutes. Total baking time is about 60-65 minutes. The covered portion steams the potatoes tender, while uncovering at the end crisps up the cheese topping. Potatoes should be fork-tender and beef cooked through when done. If using thicker potato slices, add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.
What is Jackie Kennedy's casserole?
Jackie Kennedy's famous casserole is actually a chicken and artichoke dish, not related to ground beef hobo casserole. It layers chicken, artichoke hearts, and mushrooms in a creamy sauce with breadcrumb topping. It was elegant White House entertaining food, very different from rustic hobo casserole with potatoes. The hobo version is more budget-friendly and uses pantry staples instead of fancy ingredients.
What is the most popular casserole at Southern Living?
Southern Living's most popular casserole is their Chicken Enchilada Casserole, though their Squash Casserole and Hashbrown Casserole are close seconds. These differ from hobo dinner casserole which is more of a Midwestern comfort food. Hobo casserole focuses on simple layers of beef, potatoes, and cheese rather than the cream-soup-based casseroles popular in Southern cuisine. Both styles are delicious comfort food though.
More Recipes You'll Love
Once you've nailed this Hobo Casserole recipe, try my Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Chicken Recipe for another easy dinner that's crispy, cheesy, and completely restaurant-quality. My Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage is just as simple with addictive ranch seasoning and melty cheese. And my Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe makes weeknight dinners ridiculously delicious with creamy sun-dried tomato sauce everyone loves.
Easy Hobo Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish To layer and bake the casserole
- 1 Mandoline slicer or sharp knife To slice potatoes thin and evenly
- 1 cutting board To prep potatoes and onions
- 1 Aluminum foil To cover casserole during first baking phase
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
- 6 medium russet potatoes about 3 lbs, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter plus extra for greasing
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 teaspoons salt divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder divided
- ½ teaspoon paprika optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Peel and slice potatoes into ⅛-inch thin rounds using a mandoline or sharp knife. Dice onion into small pieces. Grate cheese if using a block. Set everything aside for easy layering.
- In a medium bowl, crumble the ground beef and season it with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Mix well with your hands to distribute seasoning evenly throughout the beef. This ensures every bite has flavor.
- Start with half the sliced potatoes arranged in an even layer on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. Add half the diced onions spread evenly over potatoes. Crumble half the seasoned ground beef over the onion layer, breaking it into small pieces. Sprinkle 1½ cups shredded cheese over the beef.
- Create a second layer using the remaining ingredients in the same order: potatoes, seasoning (remaining salt, pepper, garlic powder), onions, ground beef, and cheese. Press down gently with your hands to compact the layers and help everything cook evenly.
- Pour the beef broth slowly around the edges of the casserole dish—not directly over the top layer. This keeps the cheese from getting soggy while adding moisture for tender potatoes. Dot the top with small pieces of butter for extra richness and golden color.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, making sure it's sealed around the edges to trap steam. This is crucial for cooking the potatoes through without drying out the beef. The steam created inside will make everything tender.
- Place covered casserole on the middle oven rack and bake at 375°F for 45 minutes without opening the oven. The potatoes need this time to steam and become tender. Don't peek or you'll release the steam that's cooking everything.
- After 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil (watch for hot steam). Return casserole to oven uncovered and bake another 15-20 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly, golden brown, and slightly crispy around the edges. Potatoes should be fork-tender when pierced.
- Insert a fork into the center of the casserole—it should slide through the potatoes easily with no resistance. The beef should be fully cooked through with no pink remaining. If potatoes aren't tender yet, cover and bake another 10 minutes.
- Remove casserole from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set up so portions hold together better when scooped. The cheese will also thicken slightly as it cools just a bit.
- Use a large serving spoon to scoop generous portions, making sure to get through all the layers in each serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this ultimate comfort food casserole with your favorite sides.
Notes
Nutrition
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Hobo Casserole Recipe:
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