Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Hobo Dinners
When I was growing up, my dad taught me how to stretch a meal when money was tight. He called these little foil packet dinners “hobo meals,” and with just a pound or two of ground beef and a few vegetables, we could make each person feel like they were having their own special feast. This slow cooker version keeps that same spirit—just four simple ingredients, nestled into individual trays, and cooked low and slow until the potatoes are tender, the carrots are soft, and the beef is perfectly juicy.
These hobo dinners are hearty on their own, but I like to serve them with a crisp side, like a simple lettuce salad or sliced cucumbers in vinegar. Warm bread or dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up the rich juices that collect in the foil trays. To feed a larger group, serve with buttered peas or green beans, and finish with a comforting dessert like applesauce or brownies.
Ingredients
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1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
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4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
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3 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
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1 (1-ounce) packet dry onion soup mix
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