Hobo Casserole is a delicious easy weeknight family meal that is easy to prepare and everyone will love it. Easy casseroles are a family favorite for us and this one is no exception.
There is no special time of year for this casserole. It is just as good in the spring as it is in the fall, as it is in the winter. I would call it an evergreen casserole.
I like to cook it in a cast iron skillet. It's a nice, even distribution of heat and it's also a great camping recipe, should we need a casserole recipe for then.
Jump to:
What makes this recipe so yummy
- Easy, inexpensive ingredients.
- It takes less than 10 minutes to assemble.
- It pretty much cooks itself so it's an easy meal.
- It's a full meal. You don't need any other sides.
- You could make this casserole on the camp fire or in the oven.
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe Walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Hint: You could use a casserole dish instead, or even a dutch oven.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Cream of Mushroom Soup - instead of chicken.
- Cheese Slices - instead of grated cheese.
- Green Beans - these could be added for extra vegetables.
- Hot Dogs - I've heard of this meat being used.
- Sour Cream - could be added for richness.
- American Cheese - instead of cheddar.
- Ground Turkey - instead of beef.
- Ground Venison - instead of beef.
- Chili Powder - to add a little extra spice.
- Tomato Sauce - for more tomato flavor.
- Hot Sauce - to add some heat.
- Garlic Cloves - add this with the onions.
- Barbecue Sauce - add a few spoons of this.
- Tomato Juice - for more tomato flavor.
- Green Bell Pepper - add with the onions.
- Tater Tots - instead of the potatoes.
- Pinto Beans - add some canned pinto beans.
- Smoked Sausage - chopped sausage could be good.
Sharing is Caring - Like Our Facebook Page
Necessary gear: Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I use a 10" Cast Iron Skillet for this recipe. Plus a mixing bowl and whisk, but in a pinch you could use a regular large skillet (as long as it's oven proof).
A hobo dinner should be versatile.
You could also try making this hobo casserole in individual foil packets, for a great way to make this easy casserole outdoors.
I have some affiliate links in the recipe card below if you're interested to know more.
More casserole recipes I think you'll love
Try finishing it off with these Banana Pudding Tacos, they're super popular right now and it's not hard to see why!
How to store leftovers
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
It does freeze well. Transfer to a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Mel's kitchen notes
The 'Cream Of' soups really give this recipe a great flavor. I find the combination of chicken and potato are perfect. Some people like cream of mushroom too. This is personal preference. If you've cooked this type of casserole before you'll know what you think you'll prefer. If you haven't tried it this way before though, I would give it a shot.
About The Author
Melanie Cagle
Melanie is a professional cook, food photographer and Cajun food connoisseur. Since 2020 she has been sharing rigorously tested recipes and tutorials right here on this blog.
Her work has been featured on Fox News channels, Yahoo news, Southern Living and more.
If you've tried this Hobo Casserole Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can also follow me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes!
Viral Recipe Alert!
Banana Bread
Due to the secret ingredient in this deliciously moist banana bread it has become one of my most sought after recipes!
Hobo Casserole
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Lean Ground Beef
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 Each Yellow Onions diced, small
- 4 Each Russet Potatoes medium, peeled and sliced
- 8 Ounces Cheddar Cheese grated
- 1 (10.5 Ounce) Can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (10.5 Ounce) Can Cream of Potato Soup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ¼ Cup Milk
- 1 teaspoon Creole Seasoning
- ⅓ Cup Crispy French Fried Onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add the ground beef to a 10" Cast Iron black Skillet (or a small casserole dish), and press down.1 Pound Lean Ground Beef
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.Salt and Pepper to taste
- Sprinkle with diced onions.1 Each Yellow Onions
- Lay the sliced potatoes over the top in an even layer.4 Each Russet Potatoes
- Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the potatoes, evenly.8 Ounces Cheddar Cheese
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the chicken soup, potato soup, Worcestershire sauce, milk and Creole seasoning. Mix well with a whisk.1 (10.5 Ounce) Can Cream of Chicken Soup, 1 (10.5 Ounce) Can Cream of Potato Soup, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, ¼ Cup Milk, 1 teaspoon Creole Seasoning
- Pour over the cheese and carefully try to evenly spread.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 1-½ Hours.
- Remove from the oven, remove the foil and sprinkle the fried onions on the top.⅓ Cup Crispy French Fried Onions
- Place under a broiler for a few minutes to brown.
Nutrition
Sign Up for my emails and never miss another recipe!
I'll never share your email, or send you spam. Pinkie Promise!
Laura says
Do you put the meat in raw or do you brown it and then do the additional steps.
Melanie Cagle says
I put the meat in raw. Make sure to use lean ground meat and it doesn't get greasy.
Danielle says
Would it lessen the time in the oven if you did brown the ground beef first or doesn't that really make a difference?
Melanie Cagle says
The potatoes will still need to cook through, so I would say, the time won't change that much.
Lynn Rook says
I don’t normally have creole seasoning, don’t ever use it,! What else can I use without buying some creole that I will never use again?
Melanie Cagle says
You could use an All-Purpose seasoning, that will be fine.
Linda says
I forgot to purchase cream of potato. Would 2 cans of cream of chicken work?
Melanie Cagle says
it'll work, or cream of mushroom, or celery is also good.
Connie says
What if you don't have a cast iron pan.
Melanie Cagle says
If you don't have a cast iron skillet like I used, you could use a dutch oven.
Cindy Cooper says
What about cooking this in a crockpot?
Melanie Cagle says
You could most definitely cook this in a crock pot. Although I haven't done it, I would layer it exactly like in the original Hobo Casserole Recipe, in the crock pot then cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6. Adjust from there.
Yolanda Hall says
Me to I want to try it too
Teen says
I made this but it took almost 2 hours to cook before the potatoes were cooked enough to eat. What did I do wrong. I did put my dish on a cookie sheet because i was afraid the soup mixture would boil over. Please advise. It was delicious though....
Melanie Cagle says
I'm glad you enjoyed it. There could have been a number of factors that could add to the cooking time for the potatoes. Perhaps you sliced the potatoes thicker? Did you cover with foil when cooking? Is your oven running cooler than normal? Yes, the cookie sheet could damper the heat on the skillet. Still, I'm super glad you enjoyed it. My family loves a good Hobo Casserole.