Hobo Casserole Recipe – A Hearty, One-Pan Campfire Classic Made Easy at Home

🛒 Ingredients

1 lb (450g) ground beef (or ground turkey, pork, or plant-based crumbles)

4 cups (about 4 medium) potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes

(Yukon Gold or Russet work best)

1 cup frozen corn (or canned, drained)

1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (15 oz) can baked beans (original or vegetarian)

½ cup onion, finely chopped

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika adds depth!)

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Optional: 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce or ketchup for tang

🔥 Pro Tip: For extra richness, stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste with the spices.

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Prep & Preheat

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or large cast-iron skillet.

2️⃣ Brown the Beef

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned and cooked through (~6–8 mins).

Drain excess fat if desired.

Stir in onion and cook 2–3 mins until soft.

3️⃣ Mix Everything Together

In a large bowl, combine:

Browned beef + onions

Diced potatoes

Corn

Diced tomatoes (with juice)

Baked beans

Garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper

Optional: Worcestershire sauce or tomato paste

✅ Mix gently — don’t mash the potatoes!

4️⃣ Transfer & Bake

Pour mixture into prepared dish.

Cover with foil.

Bake 45–50 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until potatoes are fork-tender and top is golden.

🕒 Optional: Remove foil last 10 mins for a slightly crispier top.

5️⃣ Serve & Smile

Scoop straight from the pan!

Garnish with fresh parsley or shredded cheese if desired.

🍽️ Serving Ideas:

With crusty bread or garlic toast

Topped with sour cream or green onions

As a camping foil packet recipe (see hack below!)

🌈 Variations & Pro Hacks

🌱 Vegetarian? Use lentils or plant-based crumbles + veggie baked beans

🌾 Gluten-Free? Naturally GF — just check labels on baked beans/Worcestershire

🔥 Smokier Flavor: Add ½ tsp smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke

🧊 Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble unbaked, cover, refrigerate overnight — bake when ready (+5 mins)

❄️ Freeze It! Freeze before or after baking — thaw overnight, reheat at 350°F for 25–30 mins

🏕️ Campfire Version: Divide mixture into heavy-duty foil packets. Seal tightly. Cook over campfire coals 25–30 mins, flipping once.

🧠 Why This Works So Well

Baked beans = built-in sauce & sweetness — no need for extra broth

Potatoes cook perfectly in steam from tomatoes and beef juices

One-pan method = deep flavor fusion and easy cleanup

No pre-boiling potatoes — they soften beautifully in the oven

It’s not magic — it’s old-school wisdom with modern ease. ✨

❤️ Final Thought: Sometimes, the Best Meals Are Simple & Honest

You don’t need rare ingredients or hours in the kitchen to make something truly special.

Just good meat, real veggies, and love.

This Hobo Casserole proves that the most beloved dishes are often the simplest — where every bite tastes like comfort, care, and home.

So next time you want to feed a crowd without stress…

Grab that skillet.

Turn on the oven.

And let your kitchen fill with the scent of potatoes, beef, and joy.

Because great food doesn’t have to be fancy —

It just has to taste like it came from the heart. 💛