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Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef

Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef
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Easy Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef is a comforting, hearty one-dish meal combining lean ground beef, diced potatoes, sautéed vegetables, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this flavorful casserole is simple to prepare, budget-friendly, and adaptable to your favorite ingredients, delivering a satisfying and crowd-pleasing dinner with minimal effort and cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb lean ground beef

Vegetables

  • 3 cups diced potatoes (peeled or unpeeled)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry Staples & Sauces

  • 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme

Dairy

  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack)

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Cook the Ground Beef Mixture: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it starts to brown, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. When the beef is about halfway browned, add the diced onions, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers. Continue cooking until the vegetables soften and the beef is fully browned, allowing the flavors to meld.
  2. Add the Potatoes and Tomato Sauce: Stir in the diced potatoes and pour the tomato sauce over the mixture. Mix everything thoroughly so the potatoes are evenly coated. Season with salt, pepper, and dried oregano or thyme. Let this simmer for a few minutes to allow the potatoes to begin softening and absorb the flavors.
  3. Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the beef and potato mixture into a greased casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the top, ensuring every part is covered for a cheesy, bubbly finish.
  4. Bake Until Golden and Bubbling: Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
  5. Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to settle and makes it easier to portion and serve. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to keep the casserole lighter and avoid excess grease.
  • Dice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking.
  • Sauté the vegetables with the beef to develop deeper, richer flavors.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning beef; cook in batches if needed.
  • For extra gooey cheese, add half the cheese inside the mixture before topping with the remaining cheese.
  • To make it gluten-free, ensure tomato sauce and seasonings have no gluten, and optionally use gluten-free breadcrumbs if adding a topping.

Nutrition

Keywords: hobo casserole, ground beef casserole, easy casserole, comfort food, one dish meal, weeknight dinner, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, cheesy casserole, family meal

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/hobo-casserole-with-ground-beef/