Hearty Countryside Ground Beef & Potato Bake Recipe

Hearty comfort food meets rustic ground beef & potato bake in this soul-warming dish that promises pure culinary bliss.

Layers of tender potatoes and seasoned ground beef create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Home cooks adore this simple yet satisfying recipe that comes together with minimal effort.

Each forkful delivers a rich, golden-brown masterpiece packed with robust seasonings and melted cheese.

The perfect one-pan meal emerges straight from your oven, filling the kitchen with irresistible aromas.

Savory, filling, and guaranteed to become a weeknight dinner staple, this bake will have everyone asking for seconds.

Let’s find out this delectable recipe and watch as hungry faces light up with anticipation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 7

Ground Beef & Potato Casserole: Ingredient Checklist

• Lean Ground Beef: Provides hearty protein and rich flavor, choose 85% lean for optimal juiciness and less grease.
• Yellow Onion: Adds sweet depth and aromatic base, select firm onions with no soft spots or sprouting.
• Green Bell Pepper: Introduces fresh crunch and mild vegetable sweetness, look for vibrant green color and smooth skin.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, earthy undertones, pick firm cloves without brown spots or soft areas.

• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates smooth, savory sauce base with classic comfort food essence.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and creamy texture, choose full-fat version for best results.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and provides sharp, bold cheese flavor, select aged varieties for deeper taste.

• Russet Potatoes: Offers starchy, tender layers that absorb flavors well, slice uniformly for even cooking.
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that enhance overall taste profile.
• French Fried Onions: Delivers crispy, golden topping with delightful crunch.
• Green Onions: Provides fresh, mild onion brightness for garnish.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, herbaceous finishing touch with vibrant color.

Tools for Rustic, Hearty Baking

• Large skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef and sautéing vegetables.
• 9×13-inch casserole dish: Essential for layering and baking the entire casserole.
• Cutting board: Ideal for slicing potatoes and chopping vegetables.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precise vegetable and potato preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helpful for accurate ingredient portioning.

How to Make Hobo Casserole from Scratch

• Oven Preparation Kitchen Warmup

Crank up the oven to a cozy 375°F and grab a large baking dish, giving it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent any sticky situations.

• Meat and Veggie Dance

In a sizzling skillet, brown the ground beef until it’s beautifully caramelized. Toss in chopped onions, colorful bell peppers, and minced garlic, letting them mingle and soften together.

• Creamy Connector

Whip together a luscious sauce using creamy mushroom soup and tangy sour cream, seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper to wake up the flavors.

• Layer Party

Create a delicious landscape in your baking dish – start with a layer of thinly sliced potatoes, then blanket them with the seasoned beef mixture and drizzle the creamy sauce on top.

• Cheesy Crown

Sprinkle a generous handful of shredded cheese over the casserole and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake until the potatoes turn tender and the top gets a golden, bubbly finish.

• Final Flourish

For an extra crunch, scatter crispy fried onions over the top and return to the oven for a quick 5-minute toast. Let the dish rest briefly before serving up this hearty comfort meal.

Simple Add-Ins & Smart Cooking Advice

• Swap russet potatoes with sweet potatoes for a nutritious twist that adds natural sweetness and extra vitamins.
• Try ground turkey or lean ground chicken as healthier protein alternatives that blend seamlessly with the creamy sauce.
• Toss in extra vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or spinach to increase nutritional value and add vibrant colors to the casserole.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to give the dish an unexpected flavor kick that'll wake up your taste buds.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or gruyère to create unique flavor profiles that transform the classic recipe.

Serving Ideas for This Cozy Dish

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Gather everyone around the table and serve this hearty casserole with warm bread for dipping and soaking up those delicious sauces.
• Comfort Food Companion: Pair the casserole with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, meaty flavors and add a fresh element to the meal.
• Weekend Potluck Star: Bring this crowd-pleasing dish to your next gathering – it travels well and feeds a hungry group with its satisfying layers of beef, potatoes, and creamy sauce.
• Game Day Fuel-Up: Serve alongside cold craft beer or refreshing iced tea for a filling meal that'll keep sports fans happy during game time or movie marathons.

Leftover Game Plan for This Hearty Favorite

• Smart Storage Solutions: Transfer any leftover casserole into airtight containers, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain flavor and prevent moisture loss.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe wrap or containers. These meals stay delicious for up to 2 months, perfect for quick future dinners. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. For a crispy top, use the oven at 350°F, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning.
• Meal Prep Magic: Assemble the entire casserole in advance, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. This strategy saves time during busy weeknights and allows flavors to meld beautifully.

Hearty Ground Beef & Potato Bake Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Rustic Ground Beef & Potato Bake celebrates comfort cuisine with bold Mediterranean flavors. Savory layers of seasoned beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal perfect for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2–3 medium-sized Russet potatoes (peeled and thinly sliced)
• ½ cup yellow onion (diced)
• 1 green bell pepper (diced)
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (1¾ oz or 50 grams)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
• French fried onions (for topping)
• Sliced green onions (optional, for garnish)
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking and set aside.
2. Meat Browning: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, thoroughly cook ground beef until no pink remains, breaking it into fine crumbles while sizzling.
3. Vegetable Integration: Incorporate diced onions, chopped bell peppers, and minced garlic into the browned meat, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
4. Sauce Creation: Whisk condensed mushroom soup with sour cream, seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to develop a rich, creamy binding sauce.
5. Layer Assembly: Create a foundational layer of thinly sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish, arranging them in an overlapping pattern to ensure complete coverage.
6. Filling Distribution: Spread the seasoned ground beef and vegetable mixture evenly across the potato base, ensuring comprehensive and uniform coverage.
7. Sauce and Cheese Application: Pour the creamy soup mixture over the casserole, allowing it to penetrate the layers, then generously top with shredded cheese for a golden, melty finish.
8. Baking Process: Slide the casserole into a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven, baking for 30-35 minutes until potatoes become tender and cheese melts completely.
9. Final Touch and Resting: During the last 5 minutes, sprinkle crispy French fried onions on top, then remove from oven and let rest 5-10 minutes to allow layers to settle before serving.

Notes

• Optimize Meat Browning: Drain excess fat after cooking ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
• Layer Potato Precision: Slice potatoes uniformly thin to guarantee even cooking and prevent undercooked or crunchy potato sections.
• Cheese Melting Mastery: Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-packaged for superior melting quality and richer taste experience.
• Rest and Settle Technique: Allowing the casserole to rest helps ingredients meld together, enhancing overall dish cohesiveness and making cutting and serving much easier.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking, Sautéing, Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg