Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

Just like a comforting quilt stitched with memories, ground beef casserole wraps you in nostalgic flavors that transport you home. You'll want to master this classic dish that transforms simple ingredients into a hearty meal everyone craves. Whether you're a busy home cook or someone seeking a reliable dinner solution, this casserole promises satisfaction. Its layers of seasoned beef, tender noodles, and melted cheese create a canvas of comfort that'll have your family asking for seconds. Ready to learn how to make a meal that feels like a warm embrace?

Recipe Highlights

• A classic ground beef casserole requires ground beef, egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, onions, and shredded cheddar cheese as primary ingredients.
• Brown ground beef with diced onions, cook egg noodles, and layer ingredients in a casserole dish before baking at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.
• Customize the recipe by adding vegetables like peas or bell peppers, and experimenting with different cheese types to suit personal taste preferences.
• Ensure food safety by cooking ground beef thoroughly until no pink remains and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F during baking.
• This versatile comfort food dish originated in mid-20th century America and serves as an efficient, satisfying meal for families and gatherings.

History

Although casseroles have roots in French cuisine, ground beef casseroles emerged as a quintessential American comfort food during the mid-20th century.

You'll find their popularity soared in post-World War II America, when convenience and affordability became kitchen priorities. Suburban home cooks embraced these one-dish meals as efficient solutions for feeding growing families.

The 1950s and 1960s saw casseroles transform from simple protein combinations to creative culinary expressions. Canned soups, pre-packaged noodles, and readily available ground beef made these dishes accessible.

You could experiment with regional ingredients, adding local flair while maintaining a familiar, hearty structure. Cream of mushroom soup became the quintessential binding agent, creating a creamy, unified texture that defined the era's home cooking.

Recipe

Ground Beef Casserole is a beloved family-friendly dish that transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, comforting meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this casserole combines the rich flavor of ground beef with creamy soup and melted cheese, creating a satisfying one-dish wonder that will please even the pickiest eaters.

This easy-to-prepare recipe requires minimal preparation and cooking skills, making it an ideal option for home cooks of all experience levels. By layering tender egg noodles, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy cheese topping, you'll create a delicious meal that comes together quickly and offers maximum flavor and satisfaction.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
• 3 cups egg noodles
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 medium onion, diced

Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onions over medium heat, ensuring the meat is fully cooked and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess fat from the beef to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy.

Simultaneously, cook the egg noodles in a separate pot according to package instructions, making sure to drain them when they reach an al dente texture.

In a large casserole dish, create layers starting with the cooked egg noodles as the base. Spread the browned beef and onion mixture evenly over the noodles, then pour the cream of mushroom soup on top, ensuring complete coverage. Finish by sprinkling the shredded cheddar cheese across the entire surface, creating a golden, melty topping.

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. For the best results, allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking, which helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

If preparing in advance, the dish can be assembled and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking, though you'll need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time when baking from cold. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven, maintaining their delicious flavor and texture.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by browning the ground beef with diced onions in a large skillet, making sure to drain excess fat for a cleaner, more appealing dish.

Next, cook your egg noodles until they're perfectly al dente, which will help them maintain a nice texture in the final casserole.

Once your ingredients are prepped, you'll layer them carefully in the casserole dish – noodles first, then beef mixture, cream of mushroom soup, and a generous topping of shredded cheese – before baking until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 1. Brown Beef and Onions

Fire up your skillet and prepare to transform those raw ingredients into a flavor-packed foundation for your casserole. Place your skillet over medium heat, allowing it to warm gradually.

Add the ground beef and immediately incorporate the diced onions, breaking the meat into small, uniform crumbles using a wooden spatula or heat-resistant utensil.

• Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently
• Watch for beef to turn from pink to brown
• Listen for a gentle sizzling sound
• Look for no visible pink meat

As the beef releases its fat, continue stirring to ensure even cooking.

Once the meat is completely browned and the onions have softened and become translucent, carefully drain excess fat using a colander.

This crucial step prevents a greasy casserole and concentrates the rich, savory flavors you're developing.

Step 2. Cook Egg Noodles

With the beef and onions perfectly browned and drained, it's time to prepare your egg noodles – the pasta foundation of this comforting casserole.

Fill a large pot with water, adding 1 tablespoon of salt to enhance flavor. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, then gently add the 3 cups of egg noodles. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and cook for 6-8 minutes or until al dente.

Watch for these visual cues:

• Noodles should be tender but still have a slight firmness
• Color should be a uniform pale yellow
• No white, hard centers when you bite into a noodle

Drain the noodles in a colander, giving a quick shake to remove excess water. Your perfectly cooked egg noodles are now ready for layering in the casserole.

Step 3. Layer Casserole Ingredients

Casserole architecture begins with a strategic layering process that transforms individual ingredients into a cohesive, mouthwatering dish.

You'll want to start by spreading your cooked egg noodles evenly across the bottom of your casserole dish, creating a uniform base that'll catch all the delicious flavors. Next, carefully distribute the browned beef and diced onion mixture over the noodles, ensuring complete coverage.

Pour the cream of mushroom soup across the top, spreading it gently to create a smooth, even layer that'll help bind your ingredients. Finally, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the entire surface, allowing it to melt and create a golden, bubbly topping during baking.

Your strategic layering sets the foundation for a truly memorable comfort food experience.

Step 4. Bake Until Cheese Melts

Once your ground beef casserole is layered perfectly, you'll want to slide the dish into a preheated 350°F oven, where the magic of melting cheese and bubbling flavors begins.

Place the casserole on the center rack, ensuring even heat distribution and consistent cooking. You'll bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for key visual cues: the cheese should transform into a golden, slightly bubbling blanket that covers the entire surface.

The edges will start to brown lightly, signaling that the casserole's internal temperature is rising and ingredients are heating through. Use a food thermometer if you're uncertain; the center should reach at least 165°F to ensure food safety.

When the cheese looks irresistibly melted and the top develops a light golden crust, you'll know it's ready to be removed from the oven.

Step 5. Let Rest and Serve

After pulling your golden, bubbling ground beef casserole from the oven, you'll want to let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving. During this time, the casserole's internal temperature will stabilize, and the layers will set, helping maintain a perfect texture when plated.

Use this brief waiting period to prepare your serving dishes, slice some fresh bread, or toss a quick side salad.

When ready to serve, use a large serving spoon to cut clean, generous portions. The cheese should be melted and slightly browned, with a tempting, glossy appearance.

Transfer each serving carefully to warm plates, ensuring every scoop includes a balanced mix of noodles, beef, and cheesy topping. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color, if desired.

Final Thoughts

Though simple in concept, this ground beef casserole represents more than just a meal—it's a culinary canvas that invites your personal creativity and family traditions.

You can easily customize this dish by experimenting with different cheese varieties, adding vegetables like peas or bell peppers, or swapping noodles for rice or pasta.

Consider making a double batch to freeze for future meals, which can be a lifesaver during busy weeks.

Don't be afraid to adjust seasonings to suit your family's taste preferences.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility and comforting simplicity.

Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or preparing a hearty meal for a gathering, this ground beef casserole will become a treasured recipe in your culinary repertoire.