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Easy Recipe for Hamburger Casserole

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close up overhead shot of Hamburger Casserole
Baked with noodles, ground beef, seasonings, cheese, and vegetables, this hamburger casserole recipe goes together in minutes.
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Table of Contents
  1. You Will Love This Easy Hamburger Casserole
  2. Hamburger Casserole Recipe Ingredients
  3. How to make Hamburger Noodle Casserole
  4. Ground Beef Casserole Substitutions and Additions
  5. Hamburger Casserole Recipe Tips
  6. How to serve Hamburger Casserole with Noodles
  7. How To Store Ground Beef Casserole
  8. Easy Hamburger Casserole FAQs
  9. More Recipes You’ll Love
  10. JUMP TO RECIPE
  11. More Favorites You’ll Love

Hamburger casserole is one dish comfort food at its finest. Noodles are mixed with ground beef and vegetables and then topped with cheese and baked to bubbly perfection.

close up shot of a serving of Hamburger Casserole on a plate

You Will Love This Easy Hamburger Casserole

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COMFORTING AND HEARTY: This casserole offers a warm and satisfying meal, perfect for chilly evenings. The combination of pasta, ground beef, and cheese provides a hearty and comforting experience.

FLAVORFUL INGREDIENTS: The recipe includes a mix of flavorful ingredients like diced onions, green peppers, garlic, Italian seasoning, and a tomato-based sauce.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Hamburger casserole is a crowd-pleaser that appeals to both kids and adults alike. It’s a convenient way to serve a complete meal in one dish, making it a favorite for busy families.

I love how quick and simple this hamburger casserole is to make. Everything comes together in a snap in one dish and is ready after a few minutes baking in the oven.

The end result is rich, cheesy comfort food that is perfect for busy weeknights that the whole family will love.

Hamburger Casserole Recipe Ingredients

This casserole features lean ground beef, diced onions, and green peppers, and a hint of Mediterranean herbs from minced garlic and Italian seasoning.

The tomato sauce and diced tomatoes provide a tangy base, while frozen peas, carrots, and corn add a touch of sweetness.

The star of the dish is the gooey, golden layer of shredded cheddar jack cheese on top, creating a creamy, cheesy contrast that ties the dish together.

You’ll need:

  • 4 cups of dry egg noodles, cooked
  • 1 pound of lean ground beef
  • 1 cup of diced onion
  • 1 cup of diced green pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
  • 8-ounce can of tomato sauce
  • 14-ounce can of diced Italian-style tomatoes
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup of frozen peas and carrots
  • ¼ cup of frozen corn
  • 2 cups of shredded cheddar jack cheese, divided in half

How to make Hamburger Noodle Casserole

Savory layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy sauce, and melted cheese make this hamburger casserole with noodles a real winner for weeknight meals.

Here’s how you make our recipe:

STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. 

STEP TWO: In a large pot, prepare four cups of dry egg noodles to al dente according to package directions, then set aside once cooked.

PRO TIP:

To test your pasta for al dente, take a bite of the pasta a minute or two before the package instructions indicate it should be done.

When you bite into it, and your teeth feel some resistance, but the pasta is still tender, your pasta is al dente.

STEP THREE: Next, in a large skillet, cook the ground beef until it is almost done, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as you go.

STEP FOUR: Add the onion and green pepper to the skillet and cook for about four minutes, then add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for one minute more.

onion and green pepper added to the skillet and then add garlic and italian seasoning

STEP FIVE: Pour the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes into the skillet, add salt and pepper to taste, and cook together for a few minutes, stirring frequently.

tomato sauce and diced tomatoes poured into the skillet

STEP SIX: Put the egg noodles in the bottom of the greased baking dish, then pour the meat mixture on top.

Add in the peas, carrots, corn, and half of the cheese. Mix everything together thoroughly.

egg noodles placed in the bottom of the baking dish. ground beef, peas, carrots, corn, and half of the cheese on top poured and mixed together

STEP SEVEN: Top with remaining cheese and bake for 25 minutes in the oven until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.

sprinkled cheese spread on top of casserole and baked

After taking the casserole out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to be redistributed and makes it easier to serve.

Ground Beef Casserole Substitutions and Additions

PEAS AND CARROTS: If you don’t enjoy peas and carrots, you could add more corn and bell peppers as a substitute. 

MEAT: Any type of ground meat, such as ground chicken, ground turkey, or even sausage, would work in this great recipe in place of hamburger meat.

CHEESE: A sharp cheddar cheese is delicious, but you could either replace it or add more of a different type of cheese.

Try mozzarella cheese or an Italian cheese blend. You could even add a bit of cream cheese or sour cream to the beef mixture to increase the creaminess.

SPICE: To kick up the heat a notch, add a dash of red pepper flakes to the mixture.

PASTA: Any bite-size pasta would be a great choice in this recipe. Try pasta shells, penne, or rotini.

SAUCE: Any type of spaghetti sauce would work for this recipe. Choose either plain or one with spice and extra veggies.

Hamburger Casserole Recipe Tips

  • For a successful Hamburger Casserole, cook the egg noodles to al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy during baking.
  • Substitute ground beef with ground chicken, turkey, or sausage for a different flavor.
  • Enhance the vegetable mix with more corn and bell peppers if preferred.
  • Experiment with different cheeses, like mozzarella or an Italian blend, and add red pepper flakes for extra spice.
  • If you don’t have cream of mushroom soup, you can use cream of celery soup or cream of chicken soup.
  • For a cheesier casserole, stir in shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese before baking.
  • Cover the casserole with foil initially to prevent the cheese from burning.

How to serve Hamburger Casserole with Noodles

There’s nothing like a slice of garlic bread to soak up the rich flavors of the casserole.

It also goes great alongside our cheesy pull-apart bread, dinner rolls or rustic Dutch oven bread.

Balance out the heartiness of the casserole with a crisp green side salad or Caesar salad.

Mashed potatoes of any kind pair beautifully with hamburger casserole.

Try our creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy mashed potatoes, or mashed potato casserole.

A chilled glass of iced tea is the perfect drink to go with hamburger casserole. Drinks with a slight fruitiness also pair well.

If you’re looking for refreshing, fruit-infused options, try our peach iced tea, raspberry iced tea or strawberry sweet tea.

Need more easy dinner recipes full of simple ingredients?

This chili recipe is a favorite, as is Grandma’s classic goulash.

We also love crockpot mac and cheese and our baked mac and cheese for easy meal ideas.

How To Store Ground Beef Casserole

If you have leftovers or you’re planning to prep ahead, here are some handy storage tips to ensure every bite remains as delicious as the first.

MAKE AHEAD: This hamburger casserole recipe is a dream for those who love to plan their meals in advance.

You can assemble the entire casserole, but instead of baking, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to enjoy, simply bake as instructed, adding an extra ten minutes to the cooking time since it’s starting from chilled.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

This recipe can be assembled ahead of time the night before and popped in the oven when you are ready to bake it.

In addition, ground beef can be cooked ahead of time in larger batches and frozen until you need it.

To use pre-cooked ground beef, just add the ground beef where indicated and continue the recipe as written.

IN THE FRIDGE: Once your casserole has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil.

Your hamburger casserole will keep in the fridge for up to three to four days.

IN THE FREEZER: For those who love to batch-cook or just want to save a portion for a rainy day, this ground beef casserole freezes beautifully.

Once cooled, portion the casserole into freezer-safe containers or bags, ensuring you’ve squeezed out any excess air. Label with the date, and you’re good to go!

This casserole can be stored in the freezer for up to two months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

REHEATING: Whether you’re reheating from the fridge or after thawing from the freezer, you’ve got options.

For oven reheating, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the casserole covered for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

If you’re in a hurry, the microwave is your friend.

Transfer a portion to a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid, and heat on medium power in 2-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.

NOTE: Always ensure your casserole reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before enjoying it.

close up shot of a piece of Hamburger Casserole on a spoon

Easy Hamburger Casserole FAQs

Can you bake ground beef?

Ground beef is often baked into casseroles. Generally, it is cooked in a skillet on the stovetop before being incorporated into a casserole and baked.

What are casseroles made of?

Casseroles tend to have three main components. A protein such as ground meat, fish, beans, or tofu, vegetables, and a starchy component, such as potatoes or pasta, are combined to create a casserole dish.

Can I use a metal pan instead of a casserole dish?

While a casserole dish is a traditional choice to make casseroles, you could also use a glass or metal baking pan or even a cast-iron skillet for your casserole recipe.

Can you put Pyrex in the oven?

Pyrex glassware can be safely put in the oven to bake your casserole. Just ensure that if you are transferring a “made-ahead” casserole from the fridge or freezer, you allow the dish to come to room temperature before placing it in the oven. If the glassware moves between two very different temperatures, there is a risk of it shattering.

What holds a casserole together?

The sauce in a casserole recipe is what keeps all of the components together.

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close up overhead shot of Hamburger Casserole

Hamburger Casserole with Noodles

5 from 88 votes
Baked with noodles, ground beef, seasonings, cheese, and vegetables, this hamburger casserole recipe goes together in minutes.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups dry egg noodles cooked
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1 cup diced green pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 8 ounce can of tomato sauce
  • 14 ounce can of diced Italian-style tomatoes
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup frozen peas and carrots
  • ¼ cup frozen corn
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese divided in half

Instructions
 

  • Prepare egg noodles according to directions and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a medium skillet, cook the ground beef until it is almost done, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as you go.
  • Add the onion and green pepper to the skillet and cook about 4 minutes, then add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook 1 minute more.
  • Pour tomato sauce and diced tomatoes into the skillet, add salt and pepper to taste, and cook together for a few minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Put the egg noodles in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour the ground beef mixture on top. Add in the peas, carrots, corn, and half of the cheese. Mix everything together thoroughly.
  • Top with remaining cheese and bake for 25 minutes in the oven, until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.
  • Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Video

Notes

  • This recipe can be assembled ahead of time the night before and popped in the oven when you are ready to bake it.
  • Ground beef can be cooked ahead of time in larger batches and frozen until you need it. Add the ground beef where indicated and continue the recipe as written.
  • To test your pasta for al dente, take a bite of the pasta a minute or two before the package instructions indicate it should be done. When you bite into it, and your teeth feel some resistance, but the pasta is still tender, your pasta is al dente.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 493mg | Potassium: 529mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1268IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 260mg | Iron: 3mg
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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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  1. Elysia Howard says

    I had to make some adjustments because I didn’t have all the ingredients…no pepper, used minced dried onion, no peas/carrots, I only had crushed tomatoes and a Mexican cheese blend. And STILL came out great. Whole family loved it!

  2. Maggie Kallion says

    5 stars
    Delicious!!! Loved this recipe, we could hardly stop eating it. Easy, quick and budget friendly. I’m going to try it with turkey minced meat.

  3. Tara says

    5 stars
    My whole family loves this! When finding new recipes it’s hard to find one the whole family likes! I didn’t put all ingredients in, not big enough skillet, still turned out great! Will be keeping and fixing it regularly!

    Thanks for sharing

  4. Candice Jugpal says

    Hey hopefully you’ll reply! For freezing, am I fully baking it first and then freezing, or just assembling and freezing?
    Thanks!

    • Layne Kangas says

      So what I have done is make the meat mixture and then freezing. Then I thaw it, make the egg noodles and then finish following the recipe from there — assembling and baking when I’m ready to serve. I have heard that you could make the entire dish and freeze it but I haven’t done it that way personally. Hope that helps!

  5. Shelby says

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! It’s a super easy and delicious go to, especially after a long work day. My entire family loves it!

  6. MIcah Vasko says

    Well I didn’t have any egg noodles on hand so I used what I had a yummmmmmmmmy my 2 little boys loved it!😍😍

  7. Pam says

    5 stars
    Layne!!! This was delicious! I made it for dinner last night and it was a huge hit… The leftovers were just as good! I couldn’t find frozen peas and carrots combo so I used the canned. I also used two cans of diced tomatoes for a little more moisture, other than that I seasoned with Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to my taste… this is definitely a keeper! Thank you so much for sharing this awesome recipe!!

  8. Gloria says

    This was delicious. I doubled the hamburger and the can of tomatoes. Put in extra garlic and Italian seasoning. Ans of course the best part the cheese out extra on top. Sooo good

  9. Jen says

    5 stars
    Made this tonight with breakfast sausage instead of ground beef because it was all I had and I was too lazy to go to the store. Delicious! Tastes kind of like a supreme pizza in a pan.

    • Dovie says

      5 stars
      That sounds like an excellent spin! Could add chopped pepperoni, mushrooms and leave out the peas and corn and finish with a little basil and mozzarella.

    • Layne Kangas says

      Hi, Lisa – I haven’t tried swapping out for a different type of noodle. I would prepare four cups worth of the other noodles to substitute. Enjoy!

  10. Rain says

    5 stars
    Delicious and simple. Followed the recipe the first time but since we are snowed in I’m going to substitute tonight. Macaroni and half mozzarella as well as canned peas as the only veg. I’m sure it will work just fine!
    Yum!

  11. Mira says

    5 stars
    I made this recipe yesterday in hopes to have some leftovers for today. YEAH RIGHT!! It all got eaten. It was a huge hit.
    Thank you for sharing.

  12. Tina says

    This is on regular rotation at our house! We all love it and that includes a 4 year old! He loves helping to make it as well. It comes together quickly and easily. The flavor and texture are both great with the added peas and carrots.

  13. Tina says

    5 stars
    Another one I can’t wait to try. I would make this with noodles. I think that would taste best. Thanks for all the tips. Especially the one about the peas and bell peppers.

  14. Becky adams says

    5 stars
    This casserole sound wonderful . With it having everything you need in in it , I would just bake some crusty garlic bread to go with it”. Yum,yum!

  15. Melody Bruns says

    5 stars
    I love using triple cheddar and mozzarella in this recipe and I usually have a salad with it and fresh baked yeast rolls. I do add extra garlic, because some is good…but more is better!!

  16. Cathy says

    5 stars
    I think I would add fresh mushrooms to this….love that flavor combo of the hamburger, tomatoes, and mushrooms.

  17. Sharon Mousseau says

    I love recipes like this – hamburger and tomatoes are always a go to combination for me!

    I am going to make it tonight!

  18. Sharon Mousseau says

    My favourite vegetable to add are carrots, celery, onion and mushrooms. I prefer noodles over rice.

    I am making this tonight!

  19. Jill Jones says

    This sounds delicious, I’m adding it to our menu for the week. I would serve this with a fruit salad or jello. Thanks for the recipe

  20. Lisa says

    5 stars
    to the question What do you serve with hamburger casserole? I serve asparagus and a salad with this delicious Hamburger cassarole.

  21. Rhonda Perfetti says

    5 stars
    Yes I would add some crushed red pepper flakes to the recipe to add a little zip to it. My son would add Frank’s hot sauce to it. Am making this tonight.

  22. Larry says

    5 stars
    I love Hamburger Casserole. It is good with rice but I definitely prefer it with noodles and it has to have Crushed Red Chili’s for some attitude…lol. 😁😉😎🍷💯

  23. Bill Tew says

    5 stars
    Great recipe. I add extra veggies and remove the peppers because they give the wife heartburn. It tastes great

  24. Tammy says

    5 stars
    I like mine with rice but if I happen to be in the mood for noodles I’ll use the ones that look like bow ties.

  25. Karen Moczynski says

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. Have made it quite a few times. Works equally well with noodles or rice. I have also made it with ground turkey. That turns out very well too!

  26. Kayan Eplett says

    5 stars
    This recipe was so good, I make it tonight for dinner. Yum My husband is a picky eater but he loved this recipe. Thanks now I have one recipe in my arsenal of approved recipes for my picky husband.

  27. KAREN M CARBERRY says

    5 stars
    This recipe is similar to a recipe I had many years ago. In that recipe I used potatoes instead of rice or noodles. I also placed it in my slow cooker for 6 to 7 hours. It was nice and ready when I returned home from work at he end of the day. It was delicious, unfortunately I had lost the recipe along the way. Thank you for sharing.

  28. Diana J. says

    5 stars
    My kids love this!! We are definitely team noodle (although my husband is team rice)!! Making this this weekend!!

  29. Kay says

    5 stars
    Love this! I substitute Rotel for the diced tomatoes, omit the peas and add red and green bell peppers and a bay leaf. My husband adds hot sauce to his. Ceasar salad and garlic bread. Perfect dinner!

  30. Linda Simon says

    5 stars
    Delicious recipe – due to our age – used ground turkey breast – just added my favorite RED CHILI FLAKES or if you are lucky enough – HATCH PEPPER SEASONING. Recipe was wonderful .. Also used noodles that package indicates NO YOKE noodles. There is no difference in taste.

    Recipe was and is delicious.

  31. Barb Westerfield says

    5 stars
    I made it and was delicious. Added more cheese! Served with a lettuce side salad with a reduced fat Caesar dressing.

  32. Jenny says

    5 stars
    What do you serve with hamburger casserole?
    Since the meal is filling, I like to serve this with a fresh green salad.

  33. Anne says

    5 stars
    I like this hamburger casserole with noodles rather than rice. I would serve it with a tossed salad. Yum! It is delicious!

  34. Rose M McClarin says

    5 stars
    I add pepperjack cheese and green chilies to spice it up a little – great dish always get compliments and there are never any leftovers. Great dish when I need to make a quick filling dinner.

  35. Teresa Webb says

    5 stars
    We like a simple salad with our hamburger casserole. I look forward to trying all these variations.

  36. Bonnie Murray says

    5 stars
    Printed and saved it – served with a side salad. I have been printing out alot of your recipes, thank you ,we are enjoying them

  37. Terri says

    5 stars
    This was delicious! I added more garlic and Italian seasoning and used spaghetti sauce, and broken up lasagna noodles. My son called it “lasagna salad”. 😂

  38. RW Jackson says

    My Father used to make a very similar casserole and the leftovers he would serve with baked mashed potatoes. It was almost like a shepherds pie dish. Comfort food

  39. Kay HP7 says

    5 stars
    I had to modify your recipe just a bit. I don’t EVER do peas and carrots. The rest of the recipe was all you! It turned out great!!

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