The Ultimate Hamburger Noodle Casserole Recipe
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Prepare an effortless weeknight dinner in under 30 minutes with this delicious hamburger noodle casserole. Packed with flavor, this dish is a family favorite. Made with budget-friendly ingredients like ground beef, egg noodles, sour cream, and cottage cheese, it’s guaranteed to please your taste buds while being easy on your wallet.
This cheesy hamburger casserole kind of reminds me of a take-off on Hamburger Helper – just an old fashioned hamburger noodle casserole. Growing up as a kid, my grandmother made a variety of hamburger and potato casseroles with and without beans as well as shepherds pie. Let’s take a look at this yummy recipe!
Best Hamburger Casserole With Noodles
Hamburger casserole with noodles is popular because it’s simple to make, affordable and family friendly. It is also great for large gatherings or for dinners when you know you need second and third helpings!
Recipe adapted from the Pioneer Woman Sour Cream Noodle Bake recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bag (12 ounces) No Yolk egg noodles
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons crushed garlic
- 1/8 cup olive oil
- 1 bag shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste
Directions
1. Prepare the Meat Sauce
Heat 1/8 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of crushed garlic and 1/2 cup of chopped onions, and sauté until the onions turn a beautiful golden brown.
Next, add 1.5 pounds of lean ground beef ( or ground turkey as an alternative)and cook until it’s nicely browned. Now, pour in 1 can (15 ounces) of tomato sauce. Let this mixture simmer, allowing all those delightful flavors to meld together.
2. Cook the Egg Noodles
While your meat sauce is simmering, take a moment to cook your 1 bag (12 ounces) of No Yolk egg noodles according to the package instructions. Once they’re perfectly cooked, drain them and set them aside for later.
3. Preparing the Creamy Noodle Mixture
In a separate mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of sour cream and 1 1/2 cups of cottage cheese. Add the cooked egg noodles into the bowl and mix thoroughly until every noodle is coated with creamy goodness.
4. Layering the Casserole
Now, it’s time to assemble your casserole. Begin by greasing the bottom of a glass 9×13 baking dish to prevent any sticking with cooking spray.
Start the layering process with a generous layer of the creamy noodle mixture. On top of that, add a layer of beef mixture, and don’t forget to sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Repeat this process to create two layers.
5. Season
For the perfect flavor balance, season your casserole to taste with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Customize the seasonings according to your preferences to make this dish uniquely yours.
6. Baking Your Hamburger Casserole
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Place your prepared casserole in the oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the top is a gorgeous golden brown, and the cheese has melted to perfection.
Creamy Hamburger Noodle Casserole
This old-fashioned hamburger casserole is budget-friendly, perfect for feeding a crowd. It consists of pasta noodles, ground beef, and a delicious sour cream and cottage cheese mixture to keep it moist. Customize it with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, or bell peppers for added flavor. This ground beef casserole is a filling and satisfying meal for any occasion!
My favorite part of this casserole is the rich cheesy texture – it’s absolutely delicious and pairs nicely with fresh greens and garlic bread. In under 30 minutes, you can have a weekday or weeknight meal prepared! What is your favorite ground hamburger recipe?
Can You Freeze Hamburger Noodle Casserole?
To freeze hamburger noodle casserole, allow it to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, place the casserole into individual servings or family-sized portions, depending on your needs. Place each portion in an airtight freezer-safe container, ensuring there is minimal air inside to prevent freezer burn. You can also label each container with the date of freezing.
Cooking Tips & Substitutes
- Choose Lean Ground Beef: Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess grease in your casserole. This helps keep the dish lighter and healthier. If you do end up with excess grease, be sure to drain before mixing in the rest of the ingredients.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Sautéing onions and garlic before adding them to the casserole enhances their flavor and adds depth to the dish. Cook them until they’re fragrant and slightly caramelized for the best results.
- Seasoning is Key: Use a good balance of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to bring out the flavors of the casserole. Taste as you go and adjust according to your preferences.
- Mix Cheeses: Experiment with different cheeses or a combination of cheeses for added flavor complexity. Cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan work well together. I personally love cheddar!
- Add Vegetables: Sneak in some veggies like sauteed diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for added nutrients and texture.
- Don’t Overcook Noodles: Cook the egg noodles just until they’re al dente, as they will continue cooking in the oven.
- Layering is Key: Layering the ingredients is essential for even distribution of flavors.
- Customize Toppings: Before baking, consider adding a crunchy or flavorful topping like crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, or extra shredded cheese to enhance the casserole’s texture and taste. I also have added Durkee French Fried Onion Rings which are delicious!
- Let it Rest: Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after baking before serving. This helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to cut and serve.
- Freeze for Later: Hamburger casserole freezes well, so consider making extra portions to freeze for quick and convenient meals on busy days. Just be sure to wrap it tightly to prevent freezer burn.
Hamburger Casserole
Supply List
- 1 bag 12 ounce No Yolk egg noodles
- 1 15 ounce tomato sauce
- 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
- 2 tbsp crushed garlic
- 1/8 cup olive oil
- 1 bag shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- salt pepper and italian seasoning
Instructions : Step by Step
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil, garlic and onions until onions are browned and then brown ground beef. Once beef is browned, add tomato sauce and simmer
- Cook egg noodles according to package directions
- Mix cottage cheese, sour cream and cooked egg noodles in a dish
- Grease bottom of glass 9×13 baking dish and layer noodle mixture, meat and cheddar cheese and repeat. I did two layers.
- Season to taste with italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Bake 25 minutes at 375 degrees or until top is browned and cheese is melted.
More Comfort Food Recipes You Will Love
- 30 Minute Shepherd’s Pie Recipe featuring my mom’s favorite way to make
- Cheeseburger Shepherd’s Pie Recipe with bacon and lots of cheese
- Easy Crockpot Seafood Chowder with either fresh or canned seafood
- Christmas Haddock Stovetop Recipe that we make every Christmas eve but also perfect for weeknight dinner
Meet Jessica
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
Made this this week
So yummy.. theres just 2 of us. Makes alot. I had to freeze half of it for a later day. Next meal made. Whohoo
I love it too! I made a huge batch for tailgating a couple weeks ago at the football game and still had leftovers! Glad you liked it 🙂