Print

Hobo Casserole Recipe

5 from 143 reviews

Hobo Casserole is a comforting, hearty baked dish featuring layers of thinly sliced russet potatoes, savory ground beef, and a creamy, flavorful sauce made with butter, onions, cream, sour cream, and diced green chiles. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, this casserole is perfect for a cozy family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup salted butter
  • 1 medium white onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 ounces diced green chiles
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (Tabasco or similar)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Meat

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Other

  • 34 large russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/4 inch thick)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch or 3-quart baking dish and set it aside to prepare for layering.
  2. Cook the Onions in Butter: Melt 1/4 cup of salted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely diced white onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  3. Make the Creamy Sauce: Stir in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth and golden. Gradually whisk in 1 cup chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, and 1 cup sour cream until smooth. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
  4. Season the Sauce: Add 4 ounces diced green chiles, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt to the sauce. Stir well to combine, then remove from heat.
  5. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 2 pounds of ground beef, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks, for about 7 to 8 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Cook until no pink remains, then drain any excess grease.
  6. Prepare Potatoes: Wash and peel 3 to 4 large russet potatoes. Slice them into 1/4 inch thick slices. Arrange the slices evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  7. Assemble the Casserole: Spread the cooked ground beef evenly over the potatoes. Pour the creamy chile sauce evenly on top of the beef, then sprinkle with 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil.
  8. Bake the Casserole: Bake covered in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown and bubbly. Serve hot.

Notes

  • To save prep time, you can slice the potatoes using a mandoline for uniform thickness.
  • If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the hot sauce and green chiles.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
  • For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken and use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
  • Make sure to cover the casserole loosely with foil to prevent the cheese from over-browning during the initial baking time.

Keywords: hobo casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy potato casserole, easy dinner casserole, baked potato and beef dish