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.
Jump to:
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.
Sherri says
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 says
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 says
Can I separate the casserole into two 8x8 pans?
Kim says
Yes, you can, however the casserole won't be as thick. (The pans won't be as full.)
Rita says
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 says
Thank you for the comment! :-)
Ashlee says
I don’t have tomato soup but do have tomato sauce. Any suggestions on how to make this work? I’m not a great cook nor do I throw things together well! I need to recipe to make it good lol. Also I have fideo noodles. Those shouldn’t be a problem substituting should it?
Kim says
I have never used tomato sauce in this recipe nor fideo noodles. I do know that others have used tomato sauce with good success. I personally recommend the tomato soup. I also really suggest not using the fideo noodles and using the noodles listed in the recipe. I think they would be heartier and work better. BUT if you do make those changes you listed, come back and tell me how they work! I would love to know!
Nicole Johnson-Brown says
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 says
It is so easy to put together! I do hope your family enjoyed it!
Shelley says
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 says
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Janice Runswick says
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 says
I will definitely make it and add if it needs help.
Kim says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
I am so glad you enjoyed it! It is certainly a favorite around here. We just had it again last week!
Stacy says
What is a serving size for this recipe?
Kim says
Serving size is 12.