The Best Hamburger Casserole Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Crafting a delightful hamburger casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to weeknight meals.

Hearty ingredients meld together in a single, satisfying dish that promises warmth and flavor.

Memories of childhood dinners flood back with each savory bite.

Families gather around the table, eagerly anticipating this classic comfort food.

Layers of ground beef, cheese, and tender noodles create a mouthwatering experience.

Simple preparation means you can whip up this crowd-pleaser in no time.

Let’s dive into a recipe that will become your new dinnertime favorite.

Why Hamburger Casserole Is a Comforting Classic

• Simplify Weeknight Dinners: This hamburger casserole transforms a basic ground beef meal into a hearty, one-dish wonder that saves precious kitchen time and minimizes cleanup.
• Kid-Approved Comfort Food: Packed with cheesy noodles and savory meat, this recipe delivers a crowd-pleasing meal that children and adults will eagerly devour without fuss.
• Flexible Cooking Method: Versatile preparation allows for easy customization, whether you want to broil the cheese for extra crispness or stick to traditional baking techniques.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Using affordable ingredients like ground beef, noodles, and pantry staples, this casserole provides a wallet-friendly solution for feeding a hungry family without breaking the bank.

Ingredients for Hamburger Casserole

• Ground Beef: A savory and hearty protein that adds rich flavor to the casserole.

• Noodles: The foundational base that provides texture and substance to the dish.

• Tomato Soup, Water: Creates a smooth, tangy sauce that binds the ingredients together.

• Cheese: Provides a creamy, melted layer that adds richness and golden-brown finish to the casserole.

How to Prepare Hamburger Casserole

Step 1: Boil Tender Pasta

Grab your favorite pasta and cook it according to the package instructions. Once done, drain the water completely, letting the noodles sit and wait for their delicious destiny.

Step 2: Brown Savory Beef

Heat up a skillet and toss in ground beef. Break it apart and cook until it’s beautifully browned and crumbly. The kitchen will start smelling amazing at this point.

Step 3: Create Hearty Sauce

• Ground beef
• Tomato soup
• Water

Pour tomato soup directly into the skillet with the cooked beef. Add water to create a rich, smooth sauce. Stir everything together and let it simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle and dance.

Step 4: Assemble Casserole Base

Grab a greased 9×13 baking dish and spread the cooked pasta across the bottom. Pour the beef and tomato sauce mixture over the pasta, gently mixing to ensure every noodle gets coated with the delicious sauce.

Step 5: Add Cheesy Topping

Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese over the entire casserole. Cover the dish with aluminum foil, creating a cozy blanket for your soon-to-be-delicious meal.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake for 20 minutes with the foil on, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 7: Optional Crispy Finish

For extra golden, bubbly cheese, pop the casserole under the broiler for 3-5 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning and achieve that perfect golden-brown crust.

Tips and Tricks for Hamburger Casserole Success

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner protein option.
• Choose whole wheat noodles to boost nutritional value and add extra fiber to the dish.
• For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and check that tomato soup is gluten-free.
• Enhance flavor by adding diced onions or minced garlic during the hamburger browning stage.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or Mexican blend for varied taste profiles.

Variations to Customize Hamburger Casserole

• Spicy Southwestern Hamburger Casserole: Replace tomato soup with salsa, add diced green chilies, and top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Lamb Casserole: Swap beef for ground lamb, use crushed tomatoes instead of soup, and sprinkle feta cheese on top with oregano.
• Veggie-Loaded Hamburger Casserole: Mix in sautéed bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms to boost nutrition and add extra flavor to the classic recipe.
• Creamy Mushroom Hamburger Casserole: Substitute tomato soup with cream of mushroom soup and add sautéed fresh mushrooms for a rich, earthy taste.

Ideal Pairings for Hamburger Casserole

• Pair with Zesty Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the hamburger casserole and cut through its creamy cheese topping.
• Serve with Crisp Garden Salad: Create a light green salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the hearty casserole and add fresh, bright notes to the meal.
• Enhance with Garlic Bread: Prepare warm, buttery garlic bread to soak up the delicious tomato and hamburger sauce, providing a crunchy texture contrast to the soft casserole.

Proper Storage of Hamburger Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer casserole to freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freezes well for up to 3 months.
• Place portion on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover casserole with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes, removing foil last 5 minutes to crisp cheese top.

FAQs on Hamburger Casserole

• Can I use ground turkey instead of hamburger?

Yes, ground turkey works great as a leaner alternative and provides similar flavor and texture to the original recipe.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! This casserole is a classic comfort food that most children love due to its simple ingredients and cheesy topping.

• How can I make this dish more nutritious?

Add some frozen vegetables like peas or mixed vegetables to the hamburger mixture to boost the nutritional value without changing the overall taste.

• Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

You can assemble the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerate it, then bake when you’re ready to serve, adding about 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

Hamburger Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 53-55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting hamburger casserole delivers hearty midwestern charm straight to family dinner tables. Layers of ground beef, cheese, and noodles combine in a simple, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1 pound ground hamburger
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Pasta:

• 1 pound (16 ounces) medium shells pasta

Cheese and Soup:

• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 cans tomato soup

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Instructions

1. Prepare egg noodles according to package instructions, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat until completely cooked through and no pink remains.
3. Pour tomato soup and water directly into the skillet with the browned meat, mixing thoroughly.
4. Simmer the meat and soup mixture for 3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
5. Transfer drained noodles into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly across the bottom.
6. Pour the hot meat and soup mixture over the noodles, gently stirring to distribute ingredients uniformly.
7. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the entire casserole surface.
8. Cover the baking dish completely with aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss.
9. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 20 minutes, ensuring even heating.
10. Remove foil and continue baking an additional 10 minutes to allow cheese to melt and edges to crisp.
11. Optional: For extra browning, place under broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Notes

• Customize the meat by using ground turkey or lean beef for a healthier twist without sacrificing flavor.
• Enhance nutrition by sneaking in diced vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini into the hamburger mixture for extra vitamins.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular noodles with gluten-free pasta alternatives like chickpea or rice noodles.
• Boost cheese flavor by mixing different types like sharp cheddar and mozzarella for a more complex and rich topping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 38-40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 495 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg