This Hobo Casserole is a hearty, budget-friendly, and comforting dish made with ground beef, creamy soup, cheese, and crispy tater tots or potatoes. It’s an easy, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Easy & Budget-Friendly – Simple, pantry-staple ingredients.
✔️ One-Pan Meal – Less cleanup, all-in-one dinner.
✔️ Creamy & Cheesy – Rich layers of beef, soup, and melty cheese.
✔️ Perfect for Picky Eaters – Classic comfort food flavors!
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef Layer:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup onion, finely diced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- ½ cup sour cream
For the Topping:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots (or thinly sliced potatoes)
For Garnish (Optional):
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (for a spicy kick)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and onions until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain excess grease.
- Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Mix in cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, then remove from heat.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the beef.
- Arrange tater tots evenly on top in a single layer.
Step 4: Bake the Casserole
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheese on top and bake for 5 more minutes, until melted.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
- Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley or red pepper flakes.
- Serve warm and enjoy this hearty comfort meal!
Serving Suggestions
🥗 Pair with a side salad for freshness.
🥦 Serve with roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.
🌶️ Spicy Kick? Add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce!
Storage & Meal Prep
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Freeze: Assemble the casserole (without baking) and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh potatoes instead of tater tots?
Yes! Thinly slice russet or Yukon gold potatoes, layer them over the beef, and bake 45-50 minutes.
2. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and check that your tater tots are GF.
3. Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely! Stir in green beans, peas, or corn with the beef mixture.
4. What’s the best cheese for this recipe?
Cheddar is classic, but Colby Jack, mozzarella, or Pepper Jack work great too!
5. Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Cook the beef first, then layer everything in a slow cooker on LOW for 4-5 hours.
Final Thoughts
This Hobo Casserole is the ultimate easy, cheesy, and comforting dinner that the whole family will love. With simple ingredients and bold flavors, it’s a go-to weeknight recipe that’s always a hit!
🍲🔥 Tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out! 😊