Need a quick, simple dinner recipe to feed your hungry family? This Hamburger Casserole recipe has four simple ingredients you are likely to have at home. Starts with noodles and after adding tomato soup and hamburger, and of course delicious mozzarella cheese, the perfect easy casserole is born! Great for getting dinner on the table fast!
A dinner recipe that is easy and good. I know, how about easy Hamburger Casserole! Melted cheese on top of noodles, ground beef and tomato soup come together for a delicious casserole recipe.
This casserole recipe is so kid friendly, I have had readers tell me their pickiest eaters loved it! Talk about a winner of a dinner! Simple suppers are the key to a busy family life and we have several here. For starters, try: Beef Enchilada Casserole and Mexican Rice Casserole.
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Ingredients
- Noodles - I have used shells or macaroni noodles for this recipe. Egg noodles would work well too.
- Cheddar cheese/Mozzarella cheese - one or the other can be used. I used both.
- Hamburger - cooked ground beef seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Tomato soup - good old fashioned tomato soup without the milk or water added. Just use the soup.
What is hamburger casserole?
It is a casserole with only a few ingredients. It also has a unique ingredient, tomato soup. I know some may be scared away by the thought of tomato soup in this recipe. The subtle but unique taste of the soup compliments the seasoned hamburger and noodles very well.
Another name for this old fashioned hamburger casserole recipe is Hamburger Hotdish. It makes quite a bit in a 9x13 pan so it feeds my family of six with enough for lunches the next day. Leftovers are always a welcome addition to the lunch menu.
Are the noodles pre-cooked?
Yes, they are. While you are cooking the ground beef, you can cook the 1 pound of noodles as well (in another pot) so the process only takes 10 minutes or so. Don't worry about the type of noodles to use. We use rotini or elbow macaroni the most, but shells work well too.
Then the meal comes together in a casserole pan and bakes for 20 minutes.
To make this, cook up the hamburger, boil the noodles until Al Dente (a bit of a bite to them about 7 minutes), stir in the tomato soup and sprinkle with cheese.
This has four ingredients in it. I personally count the mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese as one ingredient because you could simply use your favorite kind of cheese. If you would rather, it has 5 ingredients. You can decide.
Substitutions
Instead of ground beef, you can use:
- ground pork
- ground turkey
- ground venison
Just substitute the ground beef for one of the other meat options listed above.
Bake
You will add all ingredients to a 9x13 casserole dish which has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. It will be baked, covered with foil, at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
Then you will want to uncover the casserole and bake for 5-10 minutes longer so the cheese has time to slightly and lightly brown. I also will broil the cheese in the broiler for 3-5 minutes to get that extra layer of crispness to the cheese. Don't worry, still gooey cheese underneath!
Make ahead tips
To make this casserole supper recipe even more easy, you can have hamburger already cooked and frozen in the refrigerator. Sometimes, when I know I am going to have a busy week, when I get home from the store I cook the hamburger I bought immediately. As I am putting away the other groceries, the ground beef cooks on the stove and I am tackling two activities at once.
Then, after the ground beef is done cooking, I drain the grease and put it in a freezer container without putting the lid on and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Then, I cover it and put it in the freezer.
When I am ready to make this hamburger casserole, I pull the hamburger out of the freezer and add it to the recipe. So quick and easy!
FAQ
Sure! But then it would be more of a pasta casserole. Still works, just a different recipe.
Yes, you can. A little onion would be delicious. As would a touch of garlic.
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and place in refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Reheat as desired.
Serve this up with great sides like Bread Machine Dinner Rolls, Poppy Seed Fruit Salad or 3 Ingredient Grape Jello Salad. This hamburger casserole is simple to make and such a family favorite.
📖 Recipe
Hamburger Casserole
Print PinEquipment
- 1 medium saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 lb box medium shells
- 1 lb ground beef
- 21.5 oz tomato soup 2 cans
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉.
- Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain.
- While cooking the noodles, in a frying pan, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. (If you are using salt and pepper, add it while cooking the hamburger).
- Pour cooked noodles in a greased 9x13 baking dish.
- Stir the cooked hamburger and tomato soup with the noodles. I just stir everything in the pan. I also sometimes add ½ cup of water to the mixture for a little more moisture. Completely optional.
- 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.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Serve.
Notes
- If you want to use 2 cups of one kind of cheese (example: mozzarella) instead of the combination, you can.
- Dried onion and garlic powder is completely optional and can be adjusted to your family's tastes.
- If you need to make this Hamburger Casserole ahead of time, you can! This casserole is perfect for taking to a mom who just had a baby or for a family in need. Just make it the day before and place it in the refrigerator, covered with foil. You can write the instructions on how to bake it on the foil. I would only make it one day before you plan to take it.
- Cooking up several packages of ground beef when you have some free time and dividing them into separate labeled containers or freezer bags is great for those busy nights. Then when it is time to make this recipe, you can just add the already cooked hamburger to the dish. Supper got that much easier. This tip is also great for Enchilada Casserole and Taco Soup.
Larisa says
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
Dawn says
Did you use condensed tomato soup?
Sarah says
Yes, I did.
Elizabeth says
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
Sarah says
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!! :-)
Suzanne says
Did you cook the noodles first? The recipe doesn't say.
Sarah says
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!!
Mare says
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 ?
Sarah says
I am so glad your family enjoyed it! :-)
Karen says
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.
Karen says
This recipe also works well with chicken. Quick tip-buy a rotisserie chicken from your local grocery story and shred it.
Sarah says
Thanks for the tip. Easy, great tasting recipes is the way to go!
Sarah says
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. ;-)
Jess says
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!
Sarah says
I'm so glad you like it! We just made it again last night. It is a family favorite!!
John says
I made it using Chepoltley tomato soup
Sarah says
A twist! :-)
Brandi says
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.
Sarah says
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.
Carol Wilfret says
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.
Sarah says
Oh thank you for the recipe. It sounds great!
Cheri says
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
Sarah says
Hope you enjoy it! It is a great and easy recipe. Kids like it!
Valerie@Occasionally Crafty says
That sounds amazing for my family (not necessarily meat-atarians, but don't love my attempts to eat more healthy :). Thanks for the recipe :)
Sarah says
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.
Tracy says
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.
Sarah says
It sounds like the Pizza Bake I make! That is a family favorite as well. Hope you enjoy the hamburger casserole too. :-)
Christine says
I've been eating this for 25 years! My husbands mother makes this. She says it's the go to when your in a hurry! The only difference is she cuts up green peppers. I love it and my kids love it!
Kim says
I just made it again the other day and the family thinks it is great. So easy and they enjoy taking it in their lunch the next day. Glad you like it!