Easy Hamburger Casserole is a fantastic dish for those busy weeknights when you want something hearty and comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. This one-pot meal is packed with flavors, easy to customize based on what you have on hand, and will leave everyone asking for seconds. With layers of delicious ingredients, it’s a surefire hit for families and gatherings alike.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 480
Protein: 28g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fat: 23g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 700mg
Why Make Easy Hamburger Casserole
Easy Hamburger Casserole is a versatile choice that promotes family bonding over a delicious shared meal. It can easily be tailored to your family’s preferences, allowing you to swap out vegetables or cheese types as needed. Whether you’re trying to pack in some extra veggies or looking to experiment with different flavors, this recipe does it all. Plus, the combination of hearty ingredients makes it filling and satisfying, perfect for energizing a busy day.
How to Make Easy Hamburger Casserole Step by Step
Ingredients
4 cups dry egg noodles, cooked
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced green pepper
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
8 ounce can of tomato sauce
14 ounce can of diced Italian-style tomatoes
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots
1/4 cup frozen corn
2 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese, divided
2.5 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, washed
1 cup finely diced sweet yellow onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
1 cup half and half
1 tablespoon onion powder
1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
3 cups freshly shredded Colby jack cheese, divided
2.2 ounces Lipton Beefy Onion Soup Mix
21 ounces cream of mushroom soup
4 ounces sliced mushrooms, drained
2 cups beef broth
3/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups Minute Rice white rice
8 ounces Colby jack cheese, shredded
1.5 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
30 ounces thawed frozen hash browns
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large pot, cook the egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat, then add onions, green pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked egg noodles, peas, carrots, corn, and 1 cup of the cheddar jack cheese.
- Spread mixture into a baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar jack cheese.
- For the potato casserole, layer sliced potatoes in a baking dish, followed by ground beef, onion, garlic, cream of mushroom soup, half and half, and seasonings. Top with Colby jack cheese.
- For the rice casserole, combine ground beef, soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, mushrooms, beef broth, milk, sour cream, salt, pepper, and rice. Pour into a baking dish and top with cheese.
- For the hash brown casserole, brown ground beef and mix with onions, garlic, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, half and half, seasonings, and hash browns. Spread into a dish and sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake all casseroles for 30-45 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted.
How to Serve Easy Hamburger Casserole
Serve Easy Hamburger Casserole with a fresh garden salad for a balanced meal. You can also pair it with garlic bread for those who love a bit of crunch. A dollop of sour cream on top adds a creamy finish that takes the flavor to the next level.
How to Store Easy Hamburger Casserole
Easy Hamburger Casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For reheating, simply pop it back in the oven or microwave until heated through. If you wish to freeze it, make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just thaw and reheat.
Expert Tips for Cooking Easy Hamburger Casserole
- Use lean ground beef to reduce the fat content while keeping the flavor rich.
- If you want to enhance the nutritional profile, feel free to add extra vegetables such as spinach or zucchini.
- To avoid a dry casserole, don’t skimp on the liquids, especially if you’re adding extra ingredients.
Delicious Variations of Easy Hamburger Casserole
For a spicy twist, try adding diced jalapeños or some chili powder to the mix. You can also switch it up by using ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. For a vegetarian version, consider substituting the ground beef with lentils or black beans, combined with a medley of colorful vegetables.
Conclusion
Easy Hamburger Casserole is more than just a meal; it’s a comforting dish that brings everyone together at the table. With its rich flavors and satisfying textures, it’s a perfect choice for any night of the week. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it quickly becomes a family favorite!
Easy Hamburger Casserole
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 4 cups dry egg noodles, cooked
For the Meat Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef Cooked and browned
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced green pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 ounce can of tomato sauce
- 14 ounce can of diced Italian-style tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt To taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper To taste
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1/4 cup frozen corn
- 2 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese, divided
For the Potato Casserole
- 2.5 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, washed Sliced
- 1 cup finely diced sweet yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 3 cups freshly shredded Colby jack cheese, divided
For the Rice Casserole
- 2 cups Minute Rice white rice
- 2.2 ounces Lipton Beefy Onion Soup Mix
- 21 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- 4 ounces sliced mushrooms, drained
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Hash Brown Casserole
- 30 ounces thawed frozen hash browns
Garnish
- 1.5 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large pot, cook the egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat, then add onions, green pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked egg noodles, peas, carrots, corn, and 1 cup of the cheddar jack cheese.
Assembly
- Spread the mixture into a baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar jack cheese.
Potato Casserole
- For the potato casserole, layer sliced potatoes in a baking dish, followed by ground beef, onion, garlic, cream of mushroom soup, half and half, and seasonings. Top with Colby jack cheese.
Rice Casserole
- For the rice casserole, combine ground beef, soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, mushrooms, beef broth, milk, sour cream, salt, pepper, and rice. Pour into a baking dish and top with cheese.
Hash Brown Casserole
- For the hash brown casserole, brown ground beef and mix with onions, garlic, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, half and half, seasonings, and hash browns. Spread into a dish and sprinkle with cheese.
Baking
- Bake all casseroles for 30-45 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted.
