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Need a quick, simple meal to feed your hungry family? This Hamburger Casserole is perfect for #SimpleSuppers.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, my hubby is rather picky about the food that is on his plate. Vegetables are forbidden, save potatoes and green beans (canned from a garden is preferred). Let’s not even talk about carrots.
Finding a favorite meal is easy if I make a meat and potatoes dish. Unfortunately, hamburger is costing the same as a small diamond around our area. Therefore, we aren’t wanting to use a lot of red meat in our cooking to save a few dollars. I think you are starting to see my dilemma. Meatless meals are not encouraged and we need to take out a loan to eat a roast. (Disclaimer: that was an exaggeration. But you get the point.)
The other day, I was feeling creative and wanting something cheesy. Who doesn’t enjoy a casserole with a layer of cheese on top? I wanted to use a few ingredients as possible and use ingredients that would please the family. This hamburger casserole was born.
It has a simple, easy ingredients that come together in a snap. The meal only cost us around $8. Now, that may seem like a lot. However, our son and my hubby took it in their lunch for the next couple of days. So a few meals were made from an $8 9×13 pan. Not too bad for a meal with meat in it. You can pair this hamburger casserole with some homemade sweet bread or strawberry soup. Blueberry applesauce would be easy to make as well. It was a complete meal.
As far as 9×13 pans go, I have favorite bakeware. Rachael Ray Bakeware is reasonably priced, durable and nonstick.
What did the meatatarian husband say? Not only did he like it, he stated that fact a few times during the meal. And told me to make it again. 🙂
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Hamburger Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb box medium shells
- 1 lb ground hamburger , cooked with garlic, onion, salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cans tomato soup
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
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Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain.
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After browning hamburger, add 2 cans tomato soup to the frying pan (with the hamburger).
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Add 1/2 can water.
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Stir and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.
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Pour noodles in a greased 9x13 baking dish.
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Pour hamburger mixture over noodles and stir.
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Sprinkle cheese over casserole and cover with foil.
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Bake in a 375* oven for 20 minutes.
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Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes longer.
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Can bake under broiler for 3-5 minutes to brown cheese, if desired.
Need Another Family Friendly and EASY Meal?
That sounds amazing for my family (not necessarily meat-atarians, but don’t love my attempts to eat more healthy :). Thanks for the recipe 🙂
I could certainly eat less meat, but my meatatarian hubby wouldn’t allow it.:-) It is a great casserole and I hope you enjoy it.
This sounds awesome and right up my family’s alley. I make something similar, but put sliced pepperoni under the cheese to give it a “pizza” taste.
It sounds like the Pizza Bake I make! That is a family favorite as well. Hope you enjoy the hamburger casserole too. 🙂
Visiting from party palooza linky… I will print this out for the next time my grand kids are over! I think they will approve!
Cheri
http://www.fabricandmemories.blogspot.com
Hope you enjoy it! It is a great and easy recipe. Kids like it!
Grew up eating spaghetti miced with tomato soup. No cheese though and all six of us kids loved it. Did not know what spaghetti sauce was until I married. Will hubby eat tomatoes? If so another recipe I grew up on and still have is brown two pounds hamburger with large chopped onion, add two large cans whole tomatoes, broken up and 15 oz. Can of tomato sauce. Let simmer for about an hour then thicken with flour/water until thick gravg consistancy. Serve over mashed potatoes. Leftovers we have over white bread.
Oh thank you for the recipe. It sounds great!
For some reason it will only let me put 4 stars for a review. This definitely deserves 5! Cheap and awesome meal! Me, my husband and 2 year old son just finished eating this for supper and it was a huge hit. I’m glad I finally made something that my family actually likes…lol. Picky husband and toddler. Thanks for the awesome recipe! Definitely a keeper.
You are welcome! It is such a hit at my house as well. I understand about a picky husband, mine is too. 🙂 Glad you liked it and thanks for stopping by.
My 2.5 year old loves this recipe I make it weekly for her and my husband ! So simple and I always have all the ingredients on hand!
I’m so glad you like it! We just made it again last night. It is a family favorite!!
I made it using Chepoltley tomato soup
A twist! 🙂
For those looking to slip a vegetable into the mix you can add a box of frozen broccoli and cheese sauce (prepared according to package directions). They will be so distracted by the sauce, cheese, meat and pasta they won’t even notice.
This recipe also works well with chicken. Quick tip-buy a rotisserie chicken from your local grocery story and shred it.
Thanks for the tip. Easy, great tasting recipes is the way to go!
I’ll have to try that. Though I should probably not try something as disliked as broccoli (at my house). Maybe I’ll start with carrots. 😉
Made this tonight and it wss a HIT! I did it with Penne Pasta but followed everything else on the recipe. I have a new quick and affordable meal GO TO anytime. Thanks for sharing ?
I am so glad your family enjoyed it! 🙂
Hi….Can I freeze this or will it mess up the pasta when reheating?
In reference to the present cost of beef, I have found going to a local butcher results in cheaper prices and better quality beef, if this helps.
Thanks
I have never froze the Hamburger Casserole, but I have froze the Chicken Noodle Casserole many, many times. Each time the noodles were okay. Thanks for the tip with the local butcher! I love any ideas to help get my grocery cost down!! 🙂
Did you cook the noodles first? The recipe doesn’t say.
Yes, I cooked the noodles first. It is step one on the ingredients list. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it! It is a hit at our house!!
Did you use condensed tomato soup?
Yes, I did.
Looks delicious. Making it tonight. Just a note about trying to eat healthier by eating less meat. In fact, eliminating meat means you have to find a replacement that is rich in iron, protein and vitamin B12, plus other vital nutrients. Don’t assume that replacing beef with chicken is automatically healthier. There are many cuts of beef that are as lean or leaner than chicken, and have more iron. 90% lean ground beef has far less fat than a rotisserie chicken and is cheaper. And I find beef far more flavorful than chicken any day of the week.
Looking forward to this meal tonight
Have you ever tried spaghetti pie for your family? I make this every so often for my family and they love it. I also call it lazy momma lasagna.
Brown up Hamburger or Italian sausage or both
Cook a lb of spaghetti noodles
Grease a pie pan I use butter or Pam spray
Put your noodles in the pie pan leaving room to put toppings on
Then I take ricotta cheese mix some garlic, shredded mozzarella cheese, and Italian seasoning
Put that on top of the noodles
Add the hamburger
A jar of spaghetti sauce
Top with mozzarella cheese
Bake at 350 for about 25 to 30 minutes
I know it may sound like a lot but once you make it one time you will see it really is not. I usually serve a salad and garlic bread especially if we have guest for dinner. And everyone is full and happy with a slice of spaghetti pie and barely has room for desert.
I have never tried that! Thanks for the tip and I will give it a try. I appreciate it! 🙂
I think you may be married to my husband’s twin! After 31 years of marriage, I am so sick of green beans, I could scream! Especially since he really only likes the canned ones! I am definitely following you now since you have recipes my family might actually eat!
Ha! So funny–I know just how you feel. 🙂 I am glad you are following me and together we can get our families to branch out a little. Hopefully!! I did make a soup yesterday with CORN floating in it and he not only ate it last night, he had it for lunch today. Try the taco soup. It’s delicious!
Tried this Hamburger Casserole the other day and it was pretty good. Tomato sauce gave it a good flavor. Reminded me of Chef Boyardee only thing was sauce was different and cheesy. Would make again for the family.
Glad you liked it! It is a favorite here!!
My family loved it! So easy and tasty… Definitely going in my rotation!!! Thank you!
Glad you liked it. It is a fabulous go to meal and so easy!!
How many cups is a box of noodles? I pour all my noodles in a Tupperware container
I use a pound of noodles for this recipe. 🙂
Ever tried Cheeseburger soup? Only uses1/2lb. Of Hamburger and veggies cook down to add big flavor and hardly noticeable. It is amazing! I only use the Taste of Home recipe. It’s by far the best!
I do have a Cheeseburger Soup recipe but it uses more than 1/2 lb of hamburger! That recipe sounds wonderful! Thanks for the tip. I’ll have to check that out.