Hobo Casserole is a consolation meals casserole with floor beef, potatoes, cheese, and a scrumptious cream sauce. Our inexperienced chile cream sauce is totally created from scratch. Not like conventional casseroles that depend on canned soups, our recipe delivers wealthy, from scratch taste with out a number of effort.
For different scrumptious casserole recipes, strive our Rooster 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 just would possibly have already got 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
- Floor Beef: Select lean floor beef (85/15 or 90/10) to keep away from extreme grease. Floor turkey or rooster can 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 accommodates anti-caking brokers. Be happy to experiment with Monterey Jack or a Mexican mix
- White Onion: if in case you have a yellow onion available, that can work for this recipe as nicely.
- Rooster Broth: Canned rooster broth, bouillon, or rooster inventory all work on this recipe.
- Heavy Cream: It’s also possible to 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. You’ll find these in little cans at your grocery retailer.
- Sizzling Sauce: You should use your favourite scorching sauce right here. Should you like issues to have a bit of extra kick, be happy so as to add a bit extra to the sauce.
Potato Choices
With regards to slicing potatoes, you’ve received a number of choices relying in your instruments and the way a lot time you’ve. Regardless of which methodology you select, purpose for skinny, even slices (about 1/4 inch) in order that they prepare dinner evenly.
Sharp Knife: The traditional selection! Should you’re utilizing a knife, begin by slicing the potato in half lengthwise so that you’ve received a flat, secure floor. Then slice away, aiming for consistency. Professional tip: A pointy knife makes this a lot simpler (and safer!).
Mandoline: Received a mandoline? Fortunate you! It’s the quickest method to get paper-thin, uniform slices. Simply make sure you use the guard (critically, shield these fingers!) and take it sluggish. You’ll have a pile of excellent slices very quickly.
Meals Processor: Should you’re all about saving time, seize your meals processor with a slicing blade attachment. It’ll slice your potatoes rapidly and evenly with just some pulses.
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 one of the best half? No thawing is important. Simply layer them within the baking dish such as you would the sliced potatoes.
Since they prepare dinner quicker, you’ll be able to shave the baking time all the way down to about 35–40 minutes earlier than uncovering and letting that tacky prime 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 cosy layers of plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil to maintain it contemporary and freezer-burn free. Don’t neglect to label it with the date and baking directions! It’ll maintain for as much as 3 months.
Whenever you’re able to dig in, let it thaw within the fridge in a single day, then bake as common, including 10–15 further 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.
Make-Forward
Hobo Casserole is the definition of make-ahead pleasant. Should you’re quick on time, assemble the casserole utterly, 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 verify it’s scorching and bubbly during. Simple peasy!
Serving Recommendations
Hobo Casserole is hearty sufficient to face by itself, however if you happen to’re trying 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 excellent dipping into the creamy sauce.
Storage and Reheating Directions
Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
Reheat parts within the microwave on excessive in 30-second increments or within the oven at 300℉ for about 20 minutes.
