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Delicious Hobo Casserole made with ground beef, vegetables, and cheese

Hobo Casserole Ground Beef

A simple and filling one-dish meal that combines browned ground beef with layered potatoes and cheese, perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4-5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 0.5 cup beef broth or water
  • 0.25 cup milk (optional, for creaminess)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if needed.
  3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
  4. Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  5. Layer the thinly sliced potatoes on top of the ground beef. Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
  6. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheese over the beef and potatoes. Pour the beef broth (or water) around the edges of the casserole to keep the potatoes moist while baking. Optionally, drizzle with milk for extra creaminess.
  7. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  8. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  9. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

Notes

For best results, slice the potatoes thin and even so they cook at the same rate. If you want faster cooking, parboil the potato slices for 3-4 minutes before layering. Use low-sodium broth if you watch salt and taste the beef mix before baking to adjust seasoning.