Hobo Casserole
Hobo Casserole is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining ground meat, potatoes, vegetables, and melted cheese, this recipe delivers a flavorful, filling dinner with minimal prep and cleanup. Its simple ingredients and quick assembly make it an ideal family-friendly option, easily adaptable to various dietary needs and preferences.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Proteins
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
Vegetables
- 3 cups diced or shredded potatoes
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauces & Dairy
- 1 cup tomato sauce or salsa
- 1 to 1.5 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack)
Spices
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the onions, peel and chop potatoes into bite-sized pieces, and gather all vegetables. Brown the ground meat in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, stirring to break it apart.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onions and minced garlic to the browned meat. Cook together for 3 to 5 minutes until onions soften and release their aroma.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked meat mixture, diced potatoes, frozen mixed vegetables, and tomato sauce or salsa. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme, then stir everything until evenly mixed.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a baking dish and pour in the combined mixture, spreading it out evenly. Generously top with shredded cheese to create a creamy, golden crust after baking.
- Bake Until Perfect: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the casserole for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
Notes
- Pre-cook Potatoes: Parboil potatoes beforehand to reduce baking time and ensure they are tender.
- Even Layering: Spread the ingredients evenly in the baking dish for consistent cooking and balanced flavors.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme before serving for added brightness.
- Don’t Overmix: Gently combine ingredients to maintain potato chunk texture.
- Cheese Varieties: Mix different kinds of cheese for enhanced flavor complexity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Hobo Casserole, easy casserole, ground beef dinner, one-dish meal, family dinner, quick casserole, comfort food, gluten free casserole