Description
Easy Hobo Casserole is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal featuring savory ground meat, crispy hash browns, creamy soup, and melty cheddar cheese baked to golden perfection. This simple, budget-friendly casserole is perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings and easily customizable to suit various dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cups frozen hash browns
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Onion: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef or turkey with the diced onion until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat for a cleaner taste.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked meat and onion mixture with the frozen hash browns, cream of mushroom or chicken soup, half of the shredded cheese, and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika if using. Mix gently until everything is evenly incorporated without breaking down the hash browns too much.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Spread the mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish, leveling the top for consistent baking.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of the casserole to create a golden, bubbly crust when baked.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the cheese is browned, bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
Notes
- Drain excess fat from the cooked meat to avoid greasiness.
- Frozen hash browns save time, but fresh shredded potatoes can be used for extra texture.
- Mix the ingredients gently to keep the hash browns intact.
- The casserole is done when bubbling at the edges and cheese is golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes after baking to set before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg