This hobo casserole is pure comfort in a baking dish. Tender ground beef, chunks of potato and carrots, and a blanket of melted cheddar cheese all baked together until bubbly and golden. The sour cream makes everything creamy, and the Worcestershire sauce adds just enough savory depth to keep you coming back for seconds. I first made this on a cold Wednesday night when I had random ingredients in the fridge and no plan for dinner, and it turned out so good that it's been on regular rotation ever since.
If you love easy, hearty dinners, you'll also want to try my crockpot French dip sandwiches for another hands-off comfort meal, or make my Buffalo Chicken Dip when you're feeding a crowd. This casserole pairs beautifully with my Honey Garlic Shrimp if you want to add something special to the table.
Why You'll Love This hobo casserole
This easy hobo casserole takes just 10 minutes of prep and uses simple ingredients you probably already have. There's no complicated technique or fancy equipment needed, just brown the beef, mix everything together, and bake. It's the kind of recipe you can throw together on a busy weeknight without stress.
The combination of tender potatoes, sweet carrots, savory ground beef, and gooey melted cheddar is incredibly satisfying. The sour cream adds richness and helps create a creamy sauce that coats everything. Plus, it's a complete meal in one dish, so you don't need to worry about making a bunch of sides. Just serve it with a simple salad or some crusty bread and dinner is done.
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Hobo Casserole INGREDIANTS
Here's what each ingredient does in this casserole.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
- Lean ground beef: Provides the hearty, savory base for the casserole. Lean beef works best to keep the dish from getting too greasy, but if you use regular ground beef, just drain the excess fat.
- Diced yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the beef mixture. Fresh onion gives better flavor than dried in this recipe.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Brings aromatic, savory flavor that complements the beef and vegetables perfectly.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the beef mixture and helps create a sauce that coats all the ingredients without being too runny.
- Beef broth: Adds moisture and rich, beefy flavor to the casserole. It keeps everything from drying out in the oven.
- Dried minced onion flakes: Adds extra onion flavor throughout the dish. Combined with fresh onion and onion powder, this creates layers of savory taste.
- Onion powder: Provides concentrated onion flavor without adding moisture. It seasons the entire dish evenly.
- Garlic powder: Adds extra garlic flavor that's more evenly distributed than fresh garlic alone.
- Worcestershire sauce: Brings umami depth and a subtle tang that makes the beef taste even richer and more flavorful.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and helps season the vegetables as they cook.
- Black pepper: Adds a hint of warmth and spice without making the dish spicy.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (divided use): Used in two stages. One cup goes into the beef mixture to make it creamy, and the remaining two cups go on top for that melted, golden cheese layer.
- Sour cream: Makes the casserole creamy and adds a subtle tang that balances the richness of the beef and cheese.
- Diced russet potatoes: The main vegetable component. Russet potatoes hold their shape well and become tender and fluffy when baked. Cut them into 1-inch pieces so they cook evenly.
- Diced carrots: Add sweetness, color, and nutrition. They soften in the oven and soak up all the savory flavors.
- Dried parsley (optional): A simple garnish that adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness to the finished dish.
How to Make Hobo Casserole
Here's how to make this comforting hobo casserole step by step.
Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 400°F so it's ready when you finish assembling the casserole.
Cook the beef mixture: In a sauté pan over medium heat, combine the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the juices run clear. If you're using regular ground beef instead of lean, drain any excess grease.
Add the flour: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the beef mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute. This cooks the flour and creates a base for the sauce.
Build the sauce: Pour in the beef broth, then add the dried minced onion flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together and let it cook for another minute so the flavors blend.
Make it creamy: Add 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and the sour cream to the pan. Stir until everything is melted and well combined into a creamy mixture.
Transfer to baking dish: Pour the beef mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish or equivalent-sized casserole dish.
Add the vegetables: Scatter the diced potatoes and carrots over the beef mixture, then stir everything together so the vegetables are evenly distributed and coated in the sauce.
Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. This creates that beautiful melted cheese layer.
Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place it on the middle rack of your preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The casserole is done when the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. Oven times can vary, so test with a fork to make sure the vegetables are soft.
Garnish and serve: Once the casserole is cooked, remove it from the oven and sprinkle the dried parsley on top if you're using it. Let it rest for a few minutes, then serve hot.
Substitutions and Variations
You can easily customize this hobo casserole recipe based on what you have.
Meat swaps: Use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork instead of beef for a different flavor. You can also use leftover cooked ground meat to save time.
Vegetable options: Add diced bell peppers, frozen peas, green beans, or corn for extra vegetables. You can also swap the carrots for parsnips or sweet potatoes.
Cheese varieties: Try Monterey Jack, Colby, mozzarella, or a Mexican cheese blend instead of cheddar.
Make it lighter: Use low-fat sour cream, reduced-fat cheese, and lean ground beef to cut calories and fat.
Add noodles: For a hobo casserole with noodles, add 2 cups of cooked egg noodles or pasta to the beef mixture before baking.
Spice it up: Add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Dairy-free version: Use dairy-free cheese and substitute the sour cream with unsweetened coconut cream or cashew cream.
EQUIPMENT
Here's what you'll use to make this recipe.
Sauté pan: For browning the ground beef and building the creamy sauce. A large skillet works perfectly.
Baking dish (9x13 or equivalent): Holds the casserole while it bakes. A glass or ceramic dish works best.
Aluminum foil: Covers the casserole while baking to keep the vegetables moist and help them cook through.
Spoon for mixing and serving: Any large spoon works for stirring the ingredients and serving portions.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover hobo casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often taste even better the next day after everything has had time to meld together.
To reheat, cover a portion with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
This casserole freezes well. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or divide it into portions in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in the oven until hot and bubbly.
If you're making it ahead, you can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time if it's going into the oven cold.
What to Serve with Hobo Casserole
This cheddar cheese hobo casserole is hearty enough to be a complete meal, but here are some great sides.
Serve it with a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette to balance the richness of the casserole.
Pair it with garlic bread or buttered dinner rolls for soaking up the creamy sauce.
Add steamed broccoli, green beans, or roasted Brussels sprouts for extra vegetables.
Serve it alongside my Butter Chicken for a double-comfort-food dinner that'll impress everyone..
Expert Tips
Cut vegetables evenly: Make sure your potato and carrot pieces are all about the same size (roughly 1 inch) so they cook at the same rate.
Don't skip the foil: Covering the casserole while baking traps steam and helps the vegetables cook through without drying out.
Test for doneness: Ovens vary, so always test the potatoes and carrots with a fork before removing the casserole. They should be completely tender.
Let it rest: Allow the casserole to sit for 5 minutes after baking. This helps the sauce thicken slightly and makes it easier to serve.
Use russet potatoes: Russets hold their shape better than waxy potatoes and have a fluffier texture when baked.
Drain the beef well: If you're using regular ground beef instead of lean, make sure to drain the excess grease or your casserole will be oily.
FAQ
Why is it called hobo casserole?
The name hobo casserole comes from the idea of a simple, resourceful meal made with basic, inexpensive ingredients that would have been available to travelers or people cooking with limited resources. It's similar to the one-pot meals cooked over campfires, using whatever was on hand. The name reflects the humble, practical nature of the dish rather than anything fancy.
Why do they call it John Wayne hobo casserole?
John Wayne casserole is a different recipe, though it's similar in spirit to hobo casserole. It's named after the actor John Wayne and typically includes ground beef, biscuits, cheese, and sometimes taco seasoning. The name became popular because it's a hearty, no-fuss meal that reflects the rugged, straightforward image associated with John Wayne's movie characters.
What do you have beef hobo casserole with?
Beef hobo casserole pairs well with simple sides like a green salad, steamed vegetables, garlic bread, dinner rolls, or roasted Brussels sprouts. Since casseroles are usually rich and filling, lighter sides work best. You can also serve it with coleslaw, cornbread, or a side of applesauce for a complete, comforting meal.
How to reheat hobo casserole?
To reheat hobo casserole, cover it with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through. For individual portions, microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through. If reheating from frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight first, then reheat in the oven. The cheese may separate slightly when reheated, but it will still taste delicious.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with hobo casserole
Hobo Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a sauté pan, brown 1 pound ground beef with ½ cup diced yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves over medium heat. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the beef is no longer pink.
- Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the beef mixture, stirring for 1 minute to allow the flour to absorb the fat and coat the beef.
- Pour in 1 cup beef broth and add 1 tablespoon dried minced onion flakes, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir and cook for another 1 minute to combine all ingredients.
- Add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup sour cream to the pan, stirring until everything is well combined and the cheese is melted.
- Transfer the beef mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Add 3 cups diced russet potatoes and 1 cup diced carrots to the dish, stirring until evenly combined with the meat mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. You may need to check with a fork if they are fully cooked.
- Once done, remove the foil and sprinkle 1 tablespoon dried parsley over the top before serving.
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