Hamburger casserole is a budget-friendly, family-approved ground beef casserole recipe made with noodles, tomato soup, and plenty of cheese for a cozy, comforting, truly satisfying meal - and it's so easy to prepare on busy weeknights!
Cook the pasta according to its package directions, minus 2-3 minutes, so it's al dente. Once cooked, drain it and set it aside.The pasta will cook further in the oven, so by undercooking it slightly now, you avoid mushy pasta at the end.
Preheat the oven to 375ºF/190ºC and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil, and stir in the ground beef and seasoning. Cook it for several minutes, stirring often, until the beef is browned and almost entirely cooked.Depending on how fatty the meat is, you may prefer to drain the grease at this point.
To assemble the casserole, add the cooked pasta followed by the beef, the cheese (reserving some to sprinkle over the top), the tomato soup, and finally, the remaining cheese.If preferred, you can mix all the layers instead.
Cover the baking dish with foil and transfer to the oven to bake for 30 minutes, removing the foil after 20 minutes.For a darker, crisper cheese crust, broil the pasta bake for 1-2 minutes at the end.
Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes, then optionally garnish with parsley, and serve.
Storage Instructions
Once baked, allow it to cool, then store the leftover ground beef casserole plastic-wrapped or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese: Pre-grated cheese doesn't melt the same way.
Allow it to rest: Giving it a few minutes for all the juices to settle will make it easier to serve.
Experiment with sauces: While it won't taste like a traditional hamburger casserole, you can experiment with making this ground beef casserole recipe with cream of mushroom soup and/or cheddar soup for different flavors.
Recipe Variations
Add 1-2 cups of chopped vegetables - like frozen peas, carrots, corn, bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, etc.
A small amount of cream cheese and/or sour cream increases creaminess.
For more spice, add chopped chilies, chili flakes, or a can of green chilies.
Use fresh garlic and onion instead of powdered (sauté with the beef).
Optionally garnish with fresh parsley for a hint of fresh, herby flavor.
Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra umami, tangy flavor.
Sprinkle over crispy onions when serving for extra crunch.
Use rice or quinoa in place of the pasta.
Replace pasta with ¼-inch diced potato par-cooked until "just" fork-tender.
For vegetarian hamburger casserole, use a meat-free ground beef alternative.
Check the blog post for more tips and serving recommendations!