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.
You Will Love This Easy Hamburger Casserole
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 just like we did with this ground beef Doritos casserole.
- 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.
MORE GROUND BEEF RECIPES
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.
Easy Hamburger Casserole FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
The sauce in a casserole recipe is what keeps all of the components together.
Hamburger Casserole with Noodles
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
Comments
Toni Thomason says
Having picky eaters in the house, this hamburger casserole doesn’t disappoint and pleases everyone in the house.
pamela mader says
You don’t drain the tomatoes do you?
Layne Kangas says
No, I just pour them in!
Treena says
One of my favorites to whip up on a busy week night and makes everyone happy!
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
This not only looks quick and easy to make but I’m sure it is so much better than the out of the box kind of meal. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Rachel Soule says
A satisfying casserole that left lots of leftovers!
Pam says
Do you have to cook the noodles first?
Layne Kangas says
Yes, you do. I hope you enjoy!
Melody says
Do you not drain the grease from the hamburger?
Layne Kangas says
I used lean so there wasn’t any to drain but if you had a lot of excess grease, you could definitely drain it!
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!
Pamela says
Used GF noodles and turned out great!
Heather says
My family doesn’t like frozen veggies can I use canned? Do I change the baking time?
Layne Kangas says
You could definitely used canned, it shouldn’t effect the baking time too much!
Arrow says
Can I substitute the egg noodles with any other kind of pasta noodle?
Layne Kangas says
We definitely prefer egg noodles in this recipe but you can use a different type of pasta if you’d prefer! Enjoy!
Lindz says
How do I make this to freeze and cook it later?
Layne Kangas says
I would make everything but the noodles and freeze and then make the noodles and bake the dish after thawing when you’re ready to eat. Enjoy!
Cassie says
Delicious!
Kari says
Hi. Do you heat the frozen corn, carrots and peas first or add to dish still frozen. Looks good!
Layne Kangas says
I added frozen!
Maggie Kallion says
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.
Penny says
Flavors was great. I put too many noodles was dry. Learned lessen! Would recommend it
Tara says
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
Nicole says
Do you drain the diced tomatoes?
Layne Kangas says
No, I don’t! I hope you enjoy 🙂
Jeri Lea Hines says
I love & mix it up sometimes w/ chicken and cream of celery soup
Trudy says
Made this for dinner last. Family loved it! This recipe will be going into my “Make it Again” folder.
Cara says
If I don’t have egg noodles, can I use another kind?
Layne Kangas says
Yes, egg noodles are our favorite but you could use another kind of pasta! Enjoy 🙂
Bobbie says
Can you use drained can vegetables
Layne Kangas says
Yes, I’m sure you could! Enjoy 🙂
Debbie Williamson says
Do you know how many carbs are in this recipe? Sounds so good.
Layne Kangas says
It makes eight servings and it’s 225 calories each serving.
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!
Mary says
So you boil the noodles to al dente and then bake them for an additional 25 minutes??
Layne Kangas says
Yes, correct – hope you enjoy! 🙂
Shelby says
Love this recipe! It’s a super easy and delicious go to, especially after a long work day. My entire family loves it!
Renee says
Hi there, can I use rotini or penne pasta instead of egg noodles? Thanks.
Layne Kangas says
Yes, you could. Enjoy!
GJ Barreto says
Very easy and delicious. I topped with more cheese.
JB says
The ingredients shows corn, but the recipe doesn’t indicate when to add it.
Layne Kangas says
Oops, sorry about that oversight! I just added it to the instructions. You add the corn at the same time as the peas and carrots. Enjoy!
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!😍😍
Lynne says
Drain the tomatoes?
Layne Kangas says
No, I pour it all in. Enjoy!
Juliet says
Hi, this sounds amazing! It doesn’t say to drain the ground beef….. do I add everything into that juice? Thx
Layne Kangas says
If you use lean ground beef, you probably won’t need to drain. If you do have extra grease, go ahead and drain before proceeding. Enjoy! 🙂
Pam says
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!!
Scott says
Delicious, made it just the way the recipe says and the family loves it. Definitely a keeper!!!
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
Sue says
What can I use other than frozen peas and carrots? My husband hates peas & carrots.
Layne Kangas says
You could do more corn and peppers. Enjoy 🙂
Jerry says
Never tried Turkey, chicken or sausage, may try sausage
Jen says
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
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.
Lisa Ghaffari says
How do I measure using spaghetti or fettuccine?
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!
Gloria says
Absolutely delicious – easy to make and so flavorful!
Rain says
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!
Mira says
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.
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.
Gail Beam says
I like noodles, peas, carrots, onions, tomatoes, corn, and colby
cheddar cheese in my casserole.
Aggie Alldred says
I like to use the Mexican cheese blend. Gives it a little more flavor.
Donna G Kmelius says
I like to make it with rotini pasta to catch all the sauce.
T says
Thanks for sharing this with us
My family really liked this.
I put Colby Jack on top Yummy 😋
Lisa A Stebbins says
I add Cheddar cheese and a little bit of hot sauce. My husband adds red pepper flakes to his.
Tina says
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.
Becky adams says
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!
Diane Kuc says
I like to use a combination of mild cheddar and mozzarella cheese in this recipe. Yummy!
Margaret Nelson says
I always put in chili flakes in my hamburger casserole as I like zing .
Melody Bruns says
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!!
Cathy says
I think I would add fresh mushrooms to this….love that flavor combo of the hamburger, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
Pam Thompson says
I would serve a green salad with this
Faith N Dunn says
I put noodles in mine.
Karen says
I would omit the green pepper and carrots for my husband’s sake!
Dave says
I personally love the hamburger casserole with rice and serve with Caesar salad on the side.
Lauri Lammers says
Love Hamburger Casserole and I use Ground Turkey too!
Janice says
I would pair this with a ceasar salad.
Haley N. Hodges says
I use pasta for My Hamburger Casserole, but am going to try it with rice next time!
SUE ALEJANDRO says
I WOULD USE PEPPER JACK CHEESE
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!
Sharon Mousseau says
My favourite vegetable to add are carrots, celery, onion and mushrooms. I prefer noodles over rice.
I am making this tonight!
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
Lisa says
to the question What do you serve with hamburger casserole? I serve asparagus and a salad with this delicious Hamburger cassarole.
Levella Smith says
Hamburger Casserole!!!
Patricia Locke says
I like to serve this with a salad and hard rolls.
Carol says
I am always looking for different ways to cook ground beef! We like to eat ours with rice!
Michelle says
I prefer rice to noodles to make a gluten-free version of this casserole.
Rhonda Perfetti says
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.
Larry says
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. 😁😉😎🍷💯
Cindy Spearman says
My family and I love this easy recipe.
Beth says
Yummy served with coleslaw!
Ruth says
Great with noodles and cheddar cheese.
Bill Tew says
Great recipe. I add extra veggies and remove the peppers because they give the wife heartburn. It tastes great
Tammy says
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.
Jean Marshall says
I like to use mixed frozen vegies
Michelle says
This would be delicious served with a side of fruit salad!
Nikki H says
This pairs really nicely with a southwest type salad
Andrea says
I love good old sharp cheddar with hamburger!
Karen Moczynski says
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!
Kayan Eplett says
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.
Tonya says
Cheddar!! It’s the best with this gamer get casserole!
deb recker says
looks delicious!
Susan says
I love corn or orka.
Rhonda Snow says
I always add mushrooms to my hamburger casserole!
Kim Meyers says
I’m Definately making for my boys
I’m certain it’ll be a hit
Keep these awesome recipes coming
Rhonda Snow says
Corn and onion are nice with this.
Janie says
I love this with the egg noodles and a side of garlic toast
KAREN M CARBERRY says
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.
Linda says
I like the noodles in the casserole rather than rice.
Marianne Freeman says
I make a hamburger cheese cr mushroom soup tater tots that is good
Tammy Childers says
Noodles
Tammy Childers says
Sharp cheddar
Dorine Sullivan says
I always add mushrooms and lots and lots of cheddar or swiss cheese.
Diana J. says
My kids love this!! We are definitely team noodle (although my husband is team rice)!! Making this this weekend!!
Price Sandra says
I would serve a nice green salad with this casserole and perhaps some garlic bread ☺️
Tina Harvey says
I put chedder on it. We love it.
Barbara Hargrove says
I serve green beans with my hamburger casserole☺
Barbara says
I make it with sharp cheddar!
Cynthia says
I might use a can of rotel instead of tomato and pepper.
Kay says
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!
Linda Simon says
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.
Barb Westerfield says
I made it and was delicious. Added more cheese! Served with a lettuce side salad with a reduced fat Caesar dressing.
Jenny says
What do you serve with hamburger casserole?
Since the meal is filling, I like to serve this with a fresh green salad.
Anne says
I like this hamburger casserole with noodles rather than rice. I would serve it with a tossed salad. Yum! It is delicious!
Stephanie says
I made this using ground chicken and mozzarella cheese. Yum!
Janet Mizelle says
I like the hamburger casserole with noodles. Rice tends to get lost in all the other ingredients.
Rose M McClarin says
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.
Wanda Bowers says
I like hamburger casserole with noodles and grated, old cheddar cheese.
Lori Whitten says
I would definitely spice it up with hot pepper flakes and spicy tomatoes!
joan wall says
Put kidney beans tomato diced onions green peppers wide egg noodles
Deb0rah Walsh says
I love all your recipies they are my go to find out whats for each meal thank you soo much !
Teresa Webb says
We like a simple salad with our hamburger casserole. I look forward to trying all these variations.
Bonnie Murray says
Printed and saved it – served with a side salad. I have been printing out alot of your recipes, thank you ,we are enjoying them
Wendy Russell says
Hamburger casserole definitely with pasta.
Doroth Blake says
I will serve this casserole over noodles.
Mary Anne Adams says
Wow..this recipe is GREAT!!! Great flavor…
Terri says
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”. 😂
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
Kay HP7 says
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!!
JoyInTheJouney says
The directions were perfect. Very easy and delicious. Will make again.