Description
Hobo Casserole brings hearty comfort straight from your kitchen, layering ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables into a simple one-pan meal that feeds families without fancy techniques. Grab your favorite baking dish and get ready to enjoy a classic dinner that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid and Canned Ingredients:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
Instructions
- Dice the onion and mince 3 cloves of garlic on a clean cutting board, keeping ingredients separate and organized.
- Heat a large skillet to medium temperature (325°F) and add 1 lb lean ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles while cooking.
- Drain the excess fat from the beef after it has browned completely, leaving about 1 tablespoon of fat in the skillet.
- Toss the chopped onions and minced garlic into the skillet, stirring continuously for 5 minutes until the onions turn translucent and fragrant.
- Pour the entire 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes and 1 cup of low-sodium beef broth into the skillet, mixing thoroughly with the beef mixture.
- Add the 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes (cubed into ½-inch pieces) to the skillet, gently stirring to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 22 minutes until the potatoes become tender when pierced with a fork.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese across the surface of the casserole, covering completely.
- Replace the lid and let the cheese melt for 3 minutes until it becomes smooth and slightly bubbly.
Notes
- Drain ground beef completely to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a crisp, clean flavor profile.
- Cut potato cubes into uniform sizes so they cook evenly and create a consistent texture throughout the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute lean ground turkey or plant-based ground meat to reduce overall fat content.
- Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or dried herbs like thyme to enhance the casserole’s depth of flavor without complicating the simple recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Beef
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg