Hobo Casserole - The Keep At House Chef

Hobo Casserole is a consolation meals casserole with floor beef, potatoes, cheese, and a scrumptious cream sauce. Our inexperienced chile cream sauce is totally comprised of scratch. In contrast to conventional casseroles that depend on canned soups, our recipe delivers wealthy, from scratch taste with out loads of effort.

For different scrumptious casserole recipes, attempt our Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole or our Tasty Taco Casserole.

Why Our Recipe

Creamy home made sauce (no cream of something right here!) loaded with taste from inexperienced chiles and garlic.
Layers of potatoes, seasoned beef, and melty cheddar cheese for final consolation.
Time-saving choice to swap potatoes with frozen hashbrowns.

This casserole simply has a number of easy elements that you simply would possibly have already got readily available, in addition to a scrumptious cream sauce that’s filled with taste. When you make the sauce and prep the elements, you simply bake it within the oven, making most of it fairly hands-off.

Ingredient Notes

An overhead view of the ingredients needed to make hobo casserole.

Floor Beef: Select lean floor beef (85/15 or 90/10) to keep away from extreme grease. Floor turkey or hen will also be used.
Russet Potatoes: Finest for this dish as a result of they maintain their form nicely. Slice into 1/4-inch rounds for even cooking. Substitute with Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier texture.
Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts higher than pre-shredded, which comprises anti-caking brokers. Be at liberty to experiment with Monterey Jack or a Mexican mix
White Onion: when you have a yellow onion readily available, that may work for this recipe as nicely.
Hen Broth: Canned hen broth, bouillon, or hen inventory all work on this recipe.
Heavy Cream: You can too substitute with half and half if wanted, however the sauce gained’t be as creamy.
Bitter Cream: This together with the heavy cream makes the sauce tremendous wealthy and creamy.
Diced Inexperienced Chiles: These add a pleasant kick to the sauce. Yow will discover these in little cans at your grocery retailer.
Scorching Sauce: You should utilize your favourite scorching sauce right here. For those who like issues to have somewhat extra kick, be at liberty so as to add a bit extra to the sauce.

Potato Choices

In terms of slicing potatoes, you’ve obtained a number of choices relying in your instruments and the way a lot time you have got. Regardless of which technique you select, purpose for skinny, even slices (about 1/4 inch) so that they prepare dinner evenly.

Sharp Knife: The basic alternative! For those who’re utilizing a knife, begin by reducing the potato in half lengthwise so that you’ve obtained a flat, secure floor. Then slice away, aiming for consistency. Professional tip: A pointy knife makes this a lot simpler (and safer!).

Mandoline: Bought a mandoline? Fortunate you! It’s the quickest option to get paper-thin, uniform slices. Simply you’ll want to use the guard (critically, defend these fingers!) and take it sluggish. You’ll have a pile of good slices very quickly.

Meals Processor: For those who’re all about saving time, seize your meals processor with a slicing blade attachment. It’ll slice your potatoes shortly and evenly with just some pulses.

A gif showing the layers of hobo casserole.

Utilizing Frozen Hashbrowns

Want to avoid wasting time? Frozen hashbrowns to the rescue! You’ll want about 3 kilos (or 48 ounces) of shredded or diced hashbrowns, and the very best half? No thawing is critical. Simply layer them within the baking dish such as you would the sliced potatoes.

Since they prepare dinner quicker, you possibly can shave the baking time all the way down to about 35–40 minutes earlier than uncovering and letting that tacky high layer get golden and bubbly.

Make it a Freezer Meal

In case you are making one, you would possibly as nicely make two! This casserole is ideal for the freezer—you’ll thank your self later! Put all of it collectively, however don’t bake it simply but. Wrap the dish in two comfortable layers of plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil to maintain it recent and freezer-burn free. Don’t neglect to label it with the date and baking directions! It’ll hold for as much as 3 months.

Once you’re able to dig in, let it thaw within the fridge in a single day, then bake as normal, including 10–15 additional minutes for good measure.

Professional tip: Freeze it in smaller parts for fast particular person meals—simply pop them within the microwave or oven when starvation strikes.

A close up view of a pan of hobo casserole with a helping scooped out.

Make-Forward

Hobo Casserole is the definition of make-ahead pleasant. For those who’re quick on time, assemble the casserole fully, however maintain off on baking it. Cowl it up good and tight with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then pop it within the fridge for as much as 24 hours.

When it’s go time, pull it out and let it dangle at room temperature for 20 minutes whereas the oven preheats. Then bake as directed, including an additional 5–10 minutes to ensure it’s scorching and bubbly throughout. Simple peasy!

Serving Ideas

Hobo Casserole is hearty sufficient to face by itself, however in case you’re seeking to spherical out your meal, there are many tasty choices! A easy inexperienced salad, roasted broccoli, or inexperienced beans are all nice veggies. Crusty bread or dinner rolls make for nice dipping into the creamy sauce.