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