Need a quick, simple meal to feed your hungry family? This Hamburger Casserole has four ingredients. Perfect for getting food on the table fast!
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. Good thing he likes this Hamburger Casserole.
Finding a favorite meal is easy if I make a meat and potatoes dish (like this Easy Beef Stew). 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.)
How To Make Hamburger Casserole
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.
Simply fry up the hamburger. This meal really comes together quickly when you have hamburger already cooked and in the freezer.
Is it really is only four ingredients?
Yes, it is.
The next step is to boil the noodles in a pot of boiling water. After the noodles are cooked, put them in a greased 9×13 pan. Add the cooked hamburger and tomato soup. Sprinkle cheese on top.
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 30 minute dinner rolls. Poppy Seed Fruit Salad would be easy to make as well. It was a complete meal.
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. :-)
Did I mention the kiddos loved it too? Such a total win.
Hamburger Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb box medium shells
- 1 lb ground hamburger , cooked with garlic powder, dried onion, salt and pepper to taste. We use 1 tsp each.
- 2 10.75 cans tomato soup
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain.
- After browning hamburger, add 2 cans tomato soup to the frying pan (with the hamburger).
- Add 1/2 can water.
- Stir and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Pour noodles in a greased 9x13 baking dish.
- Pour hamburger mixture over noodles and stir.
- Sprinkle cheese over casserole and cover with foil.
- Bake in a 375* oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes longer.
- Can bake under broiler for 3-5 minutes to brown cheese, if desired.
- Note: If you want to use 2 cups of one kind of cheese (example: mozzarella) instead of the combination, you canDried onion and garlic powder is completely optional and can be adjusted to your family's tastes
Nutrition
Need Another Family Friendly and EASY Meal?
Sherri
I really liked this recipe but thought it was a little on the dry side. Any suggestions for the next time I make it?
Kim
I’m glad you enjoyed it! You could add 1/2 to 1 full can more of the tomato soup. If you wanted more subtle flavor, you could add 1/2 can (using the empty soup can) of water. Then add the cheese and bake. That should help.
Ember
Can I separate the casserole into two 8×8 pans?
Kim
Yes, you can, however the casserole won’t be as thick. (The pans won’t be as full.)
Rita
My mother made this dish when all us kids (8) were growing up on the military base where we basically all grew up, there were so many of us I only remember moving 3 times n wasn’t long b 4 we all ended up right back at the base where most of us were born n raised. My dad retired out of the Marine Corps, but momma n the other military wives back then did alot of cooking with Campbell’s soups back then n I still make this dish today for my family n grandkids when we all get together this is what they all want to eat except back in the late 60’s n 70’s it was made like this…your hamburger meat,your shells n not the ones that are used for stuffed shells either n your tomato soup, there was no chz involved. Then we had a veggie to go along with it n our bread n butter, now that’s a meal and the way it was made back then, thank you for sharing your version
Kim
Thank you for the comment! :-)
Nicole Johnson-Brown
Quick and easy! Fixed this morning before going to church. Hopefully my family will enjoy it later on today. It smells so yummy cooking.
Kim
It is so easy to put together! I do hope your family enjoyed it!
Shelley
I was looking for an easy recipe, and this turned out great!! I used 1/2 can of diced tomatoes and 1/2 can of tomato soup. Simple but tasty. The whole family loved it.
Kim
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Janice Runswick
I don’t understand cooks that rely on the recipe to taste good. if it is lacking get creative. Add more cheese add different cream soups, your favorite salad dressing. I always have Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix in my pantry. My family eats what Mom cooks or eat peanut butter and jelly they have to make. This cook is off duty once dinner is ready to serve. My family learned to eat what I made. I never overloaded their plates with a veggie I knew they didn’t’ like but they had to eat some. I gave them the number of peas, green bean carrots of their age and they knew they had to eat it or no dessert. Today my children are grown with families and they are all good eaters. No picky eaters. Mom liked everything so they didn’t get off easy.
Janice Runswick
I will definitely make it and add if it needs help.
Kim
Yes! It is something I had to grow at as a recipe blogger. If I see a recipe that maybe won’t fit my family’s tastes, I tweak it until it does. Everyone is different and tastes are different.
I do hope your family enjoys the Hamburger Casserole recipe. It is favorite around here! By the way, my children eat what I put in front of them too. :-)
Beverly Perry
Sorry. I was very disappointed with this recipe. It should have tasted like a cheeseburger. Trust me, IT DID NOT. Bland very bland. I am deleting this one from my pins.
Kim
Well, I can see if you think it should have tasted like a cheeseburger, why you would have been disappointed. It doesn’t taste like a cheeseburger. :-) Sorry it didn’t fit for your family. Our family loves it and it is a favorite here. I do hope you find something else on the blog that you enjoy. Have a great day!
GrannyD
Confused….how is hamburger, shells, garlic powder, dried onion, salt, pepper, tomato soup, cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese only 4 ingredients? It’s still 5 if you don’t count spices….hmm!
Kim
Most of the time in recipes, the spices aren’t considered in the ingredient count, as they are optional according to taste. The reason I don’t list the cheese as two separate ingredients is because that too is optional. As written in the notes, you can use just one type of cheese (ex: cheddar or mozzarella) if you choose. Thank you for your comment. :-)
Cheryl
I made this recipe because it had only 4 ingredients as I was tired. This was the best tasting recipe. I’ll definitely be making this again!! Thank you for posting ❤
Kim
I am so glad you enjoyed it! It is certainly a favorite around here. We just had it again last week!
Stacy
What is a serving size for this recipe?
Kim
Serving size is 12.