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Zesty Beef Hobo Casserole - featured image

Zesty Beef Hobo Casserole: 5-Step Easy One-Pan Dinner


  • Author: jonathan_evans
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A vibrant, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring ground beef, red potatoes, and vegetables tossed in a tangy apple cider vinegar and lemon zest glaze for a bright, comforting meal.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1.5 lbs red potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Wash and chop vegetables: cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes, dice onion and bell pepper, slice carrots into half-moons, and mince garlic.
  3. Heat a large 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and melt until foaming.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Brown for 2-3 minutes without stirring too much to develop a crust. Drain excess grease if desired.
  5. Push beef to the side and add onions, carrots, and bell peppers to the empty space. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent.
  6. Add garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Pour in beef broth and apple cider vinegar, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and lemon zest. Simmer for 1 minute.
  8. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (or transfer contents to a large baking sheet if the pan is not oven-safe).
  9. Roast for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender and vegetables have crispy edges. The liquid should reduce to a glossy glaze.
  10. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If potatoes are still hard after 25 minutes, cover with foil and return to oven for 5-10 minutes. For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumble. Ensure Worcestershire sauce and broth are gluten-free if necessary. The flavors improve overnight, making it great for meal prep.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: Approximately 1.5 cu
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 6
  • Sodium: 680
  • Fat: 28
  • Saturated Fat: 11
  • Carbohydrates: 32
  • Fiber: 4
  • Protein: 24

Keywords: beef casserole, one pan dinner, ground beef recipe, zesty beef, easy weeknight dinner, hobo casserole, lemon beef, apple cider vinegar recipe