Description
A comforting and hearty Hobo Casserole featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, tender vegetables, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy hash browns, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. This easy-to-make baked dish is perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen diced hash browns
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced into ¼ inch thick pieces
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Take the frozen hash browns out of the freezer to allow them to thaw slightly.
- Cook Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no pink remains, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion and sliced carrots to the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Prepare Sauce: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning into the beef and vegetables mixture. Mix until well combined, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Assemble Casserole: Layer half of the thawed hash browns in the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the beef mixture over the hash browns, then sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers, ending with cheese on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes to cook through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
Notes
- Allow hash browns to thaw and pat them dry before assembling to reduce excess moisture and achieve the ideal casserole texture.
- Drain cooked beef well to avoid a greasy casserole.
- Distribute the layers evenly to ensure consistent cooking throughout the casserole.
- Keeping the casserole covered for the majority of the baking time helps prevent it from drying out.
