Discover the ultimate comfort food with this Hobo Casserole Ground Beef recipe, a hearty and uncomplicated dish perfect for busy weeknights. This satisfying one-pan wonder combines classic flavors into a delicious and easy-to-make meal.
Key Ingredients for Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (15 ounces) mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, green beans), drained
- 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
How to Make Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef is designed for ease and maximum flavor, taking less than 30 minutes of active preparation. It’s a delicious and satisfying one-pan meal that minimizes cleanup, featuring tender ground beef, wholesome vegetables, and perfectly cooked pasta in a savory sauce. The simplicity of this recipe makes it a go-to option for any home cook seeking a flavorful yet straightforward dinner solution.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned ground beef. Cook, stirring, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, drained mixed vegetables, uncooked elbow macaroni, and beef broth. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, ensuring everything is well combined.
- Simmer and Cook Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Melt the Cheese: Preheat your broiler. Once the pasta is cooked and the casserole has thickened, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Place the skillet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and lightly golden. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Let it stand for a few minutes before serving directly from the skillet.
Why You’ll Love This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
You’ll adore this Hobo Casserole Ground Beef for its pure, unadulterated comfort and incredible ease. The star of the show is the hearty combination of savory ground beef, tender pasta, and wholesome vegetables, all brought together in a flavorful, tomato-based sauce. Making this dish at home is a brilliant way to save money compared to takeout, offering a filling and delicious meal without breaking the bank. Unlike a more complex shepherd’s pie that requires separate components, this one-pan wonder simplifies your cooking and cleanup to a minimum. Give this incredibly satisfying Hobo Casserole Ground Beef a try for a weeknight dinner that’s sure to become a family favorite!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your Hobo Casserole Ground Beef ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Allow the casserole to cool completely after cooking. Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container or cover the skillet tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, once cooled, portion the casserole into freezer-safe containers or wrap individual servings tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Frozen Hobo Casserole Ground Beef will maintain its best quality for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat from the refrigerator, simply place a serving in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium power until warmed through, stirring halfway. For a crispier top, you can reheat individual portions in a toaster oven or briefly under the broiler. To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first, then reheat as described above. Alternatively, you can reheat from frozen in a covered oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, which may take 30-45 minutes.
Final Thoughts
This Hobo Casserole Ground Beef is the epitome of simple, delicious, and fuss-free cooking. We hope you embrace the ease and flavor of this wonderful one-pan meal and enjoy it as much as we do.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Hobo Casserole Ground Beef
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease.1 pound lean ground beef, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned ground beef. Cook, stirring, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.1 pound lean ground beef, 1 large onion, 2 garlic cloves
- Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, drained mixed vegetables, uncooked elbow macaroni, and beef broth. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, ensuring everything is well combined.1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained, 1 can (15 ounces) mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, green beans), drained, 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni, 1 cup beef broth, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
- Preheat your broiler. Once the pasta is cooked and the casserole has thickened, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Place the skillet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and lightly golden. Watch carefully to prevent burning.1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Let it stand for a few minutes before serving directly from the skillet.
Notes
Refrigeration: Allow the casserole to cool completely after cooking. Transfer any leftovers into an airtight container or cover the skillet tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, once cooled, portion the casserole into freezer-safe containers or wrap individual servings tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Frozen Hobo Casserole Ground Beef will maintain its best quality for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat from the refrigerator, simply place a serving in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium power until warmed through, stirring halfway. For a crispier top, you can reheat individual portions in a toaster oven or briefly under the broiler. To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first, then reheat as described above. Alternatively, you can reheat from frozen in a covered oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, which may take 30-45 minutes.