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Comforting Hobo Casserole Ground Beef Recipe Easy Cozy Family Dinner

hobo casserole ground beef - featured image
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A warm, hearty casserole featuring layers of ground beef, potatoes, and melted cheddar cheese with a smoky BBQ twist. Perfect for cozy family dinners and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 3 medium russet potatoes (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g), peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup (120 ml) BBQ sauce
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) beef broth
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Peel and thinly slice 3 medium russet potatoes into about ⅛-inch (3 mm) slices. Rinse briefly to remove excess starch and pat dry.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until mostly browned, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook another 4-5 minutes until onions soften and beef is fully cooked. Season with smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
  5. Pour in ½ cup BBQ sauce and ⅓ cup beef broth. Stir well and simmer for 2 minutes to blend flavors and reduce slightly. Remove from heat.
  6. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer sliced potatoes evenly on the bottom. Spoon half the beef mixture over potatoes, then sprinkle half the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
  7. Repeat layering with remaining potatoes, beef mixture, and finish with remaining cheese.
  8. Tent the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  9. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly and potatoes are tender.
  10. Check doneness by inserting a fork; if potatoes are not tender, bake an additional 5-10 minutes.
  11. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

[‘Use russet potatoes for fluffy texture; Yukon Golds add buttery notes.’, ‘Slice potatoes thinly (about ⅛ inch) for even cooking.’, ‘Let casserole rest after baking for easier serving and better flavor melding.’, ‘Use a good quality smoky-sweet BBQ sauce for best flavor.’, ‘Slightly undercook beef on stovetop as it will finish cooking in the oven.’, ‘Layer cheese between beef and potatoes to keep it gooey inside and crispy on top.’, ‘Adjust seasoning after cooking beef mixture before layering.’, ‘If potatoes are thicker, increase baking time and tent with foil if cheese browns too fast.’, ‘Can swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.’, ‘Add veggies like bell peppers, corn, or mushrooms to beef mixture for extra nutrients.’, ‘For dairy-free, use vegan cheese substitute.’, ‘For low-carb, substitute potatoes with thinly sliced cauliflower or turnips.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: hobo casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, family dinner, easy casserole, BBQ beef casserole, cheesy casserole

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/comforting-hobo-casserole-ground-beef-recipe-easy-cozy-family-dinner/