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Grandma’s Ground Beef Casserole

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Grandma’s Ground Beef Casserole is an easy and hearty dinner that the whole family will love. Full of juicy ground beef, tender past noodles, and a rich tomato sauce. All this yumminess is topped in melted cheese!

grandma's ground beef casserole

Grandma’s Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

A delicious blend of savory ground beef, tender egg noodles, and a tangy tomato sauce, all topped with a golden layer of melted cheese, is the epitome of home-cooked comfort.

The simplicity of this recipe is what makes it amazing! You can also prep all the components ahead of time and assemble later in the week when you have a busy night.

Ready in just 45 minutes, this casserole is perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy family dinner.

Its easy prep makes it a stress-free dinner option, with maximum flavor that even the pickiest eaters will want seconds.

Ground Beef Casserole Recipes I All The Time

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a cooked package egg noodles, package cream cheese, and spices to make an easy dinner recipe

Ingredients Needed

  • Ground beef – Use lean ground beef or ground turkey.
  • Tomato sauce – Plain canned tomato sauce is great, substitute your favorite pasta sauce.
  • Noodles – I prefer egg noodles but use your favorite pasta shape.
  • Sour cream – Full fat is best or substitute low fat, fat free, or plain Greek yogurt
  • Cream cheese – Use your favorite.
  • Onion – A large white onion is best. Substitute a sweet or yellow onion.
  • Cheese – I like to use sharp cheddar cheese but mozzarella cheese or Monterey jack work well.
  • Spices – Garlic powder, onion powder. Substitute Italian seasoning if you prefer.

How to Make Grandma’s Ground Beef Casserole

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a large skillet brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain excess grease if desired.
  3. Return the skillet with the ground beef to the stove. Pour in the tomato sauce, garlic powder and onion powder. Stir to combine. 
  4. Turn to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to assemble the casserole.
  1. While this is simmering, cook the egg noodles according to package directions. When cooked al dente, drain.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, cream cheese, and onion. Mix to combine.
  3. Spread ½ the noodles in the bottom of the casserole dish. Spoon half the ground beef mixture over the noodles.
  1. Place small spoonfuls of the cream cheese/sour cream mixture over the meat mixture.
  2. Top with the rest of the noodles, meat mixture, and the cream cheese mixture. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
  3. Bake at 375F for 20 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
  4. Remove and let sit for a minute or two. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and enjoy!

For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

this family recipe is one that you will enjoy!

How long does it last?

​Any leftover Grandma’s ground beef casserole will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the oven at 350F or in the microwave for 30 second intervals until warmed through.

You can also freeze this! Transfer any leftover to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty and cheesy casserole is best served with steamed veggies like green beans or broccoli or a crisp green salad. Some garlic bread on the side is great for sopping up any extra sauce:)

fork with bite of hamburger casserole recipe

Tips for the Best Casserole

  • Substitute ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or pork sausage.
  • If you don’t like the tomato sauce, use your favorite pasta sauce or tomato soup.
  • I prefer to use egg noodles but use your favorite pasta shape.
  • Add in some diced bell peppers if you want extra veggies.
  • This is family friendly but to spice it up use a Spicy tomato sauce or add red pepper flakes.
  • If the cheese browns too fast while cooking, cover with aluminum foil.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, pin this to your favorite casserole Pinterest board and share it on your favorite social media channels!

grandma's ground beef casserole recipe collage

In just 45 minutes, this Grandma’s ground beef casserole will bring you back to your childhood dinners around the table with your family.

grandma's ground beef casserole recipe

Grandma’s Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

Grandma's Ground Beef Casserole is an easy and hearty dinner that the whole family will love. Full of juicy ground beef, tender past noodles, and a rich tomato sauce. All this yumminess is topped in melted cheese!
4.34 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Ground Beef
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 338kcal
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 29 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 12 ounces egg noodles
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese cubed small
  • 1 small onion diced fine
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 F.
  • Spray a 9×13 pan with nonstick spray.
  • In a large skillet brown the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink.
  • Drain excess fat if desired.
  • Return the skillet with the ground beef to the stove.
  • Pour in the tomato sauce, garlic powder and onion powder.
  • Stir to combine. 
  • Turn to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to assemble the casserole.
  • While this is simmering, cook the egg noodles according to package directions.
  • When cooked al dente, drain.
  • In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, cream cheese, and onion. Mix to combine.
  • Spread ½ the noodles in the bottom of the casserole dish.
  • Spoon half the meat mixture over the noodles.
  • Place small spoonfuls of the cream cheese/sour cream mixture over the meat mixture.
  • Top with the rest of the noodles, meat mixture, and the cream cheese mixture.
  • Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Bake at 375F for 20 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
  • Remove and let sit for a minute or two.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and enjoy!

Notes

  • Substitute ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or pork sausage.
  • If you don't like the tomato sauce, use your favorite pasta sauce or tomato soup.
  • I prefer to use egg noodles but use your favorite pasta shape.
  • Add in some diced bell peppers if you want extra veggies.
  • This is family friendly but to spice it up use a Spicy tomato sauce or add red pepper flakes.
  • If the cheese browns too fast while cooking, cover with aluminum foil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 265mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g

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Recipe Rating




Susan

Thursday 7th of December 2023

This looks fantastic, and perfect for a snowy night. I'm going to see if I have the ingredients to make it right now!