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Hobo Casserole

Hobo casserole with golden crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese in a 9x13 baking dish
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A comforting and easy one-pan meal with savory ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, crispy tater tots, and melted cheddar cheese. A hearty family weeknight dinner that uses simple, affordable pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 (16 oz) bag frozen tater tots

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic until beef is fully browned with no pink remaining, about 7 to 9 minutes. Carefully drain all excess grease.
  3. Stir in condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat.
  4. Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the warm beef mixture. Stir until melted and creamy.
  5. Pour beef mixture into an ungreased 9×13 inch casserole dish. Spread into an even, flat layer.
  6. Arrange frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the beef mixture. Do not overlap.
  7. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
  8. Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
  9. Return to oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Drain ground beef grease thoroughly – this is the most common cause of a greasy casserole.
  • Shredding cheddar from a block produces a creamier, smoother sauce than pre-shredded cheese.
  • Cream of chicken or cream of celery soup can be substituted for the cream of mushroom soup.
  • Add 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables to the beef mixture for extra nutrition and color.
  • A pinch of smoked paprika or garlic powder stirred into the beef mixture adds great depth of flavor.
  • To freeze before baking, assemble completely, cover tightly, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/hobo-casserole/