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Cozy Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe Easy Comfort Dinner Idea

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A quick and easy comfort casserole featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights and adaptable to your pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 4 medium yellow potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (plain canned or pizza sauce)
  • ½ cup beef broth (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Optional: sliced mushrooms or bell peppers

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish lightly with olive oil or non-stick spray.
  2. Peel and slice potatoes very thin (about 1/8 inch or 3 mm thick).
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
  6. Season beef with smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Drain excess fat if needed.
  7. Stir in tomato sauce and beef broth. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors. Remove from heat.
  8. Layer the casserole by placing a thin layer of sliced potatoes on the bottom of the baking dish.
  9. Spoon about a third of the beef mixture over the potatoes, then sprinkle a handful of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
  10. Repeat layers two more times: potatoes, beef mixture, then cheese. Press down gently to compact layers without mashing potatoes.
  11. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
  12. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden and potatoes are tender.
  13. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheese for better meltiness. Thinly sliced potatoes cook through without boiling. If potatoes are too thick, they may not soften fully. If beef seems dry, add a splash more beef broth before baking. You can assemble the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate, adding a few extra minutes to baking time if baking cold. For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if tomato sauce and broth are checked.

Nutrition

Keywords: hobo casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, layered casserole, cheesy casserole, quick dinner, family meal

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/cozy-hobo-casserole-ground-beef-recipe-easy-comfort-dinner-idea/