Grandma’s Hamburger Casserole

Hamburger Casserole

A cozy, old-school casserole straight from grandma’s recipe box: savory ground beef, tender egg noodles, and a tangy, creamy layer—finished with a bubbly cheddar top. Simple, nostalgic, and weeknight-friendly.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 45 min
Total Time: 1 hr
Servings: 6
Pan: 9×13-inch casserole

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 (15-oz) cans tomato sauce
• 1 tsp white sugar, or to taste
• 1 tsp garlic salt, or to taste
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1 (8-oz) package egg noodles
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 large white onion, finely diced
• ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or more to taste)
• Cooking spray or butter for greasing pan

Step-by-Step Instructions (Detailed, beginner-friendly)

1. Brown the beef & build the sauce
   Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Cook ground beef, breaking it up, until browned and crumbly (5–7 min). Drain excess fat for a less greasy casserole. Stir in tomato sauce, sugar, garlic salt, and salt. Simmer gently 15–20 min to meld flavors, then cover and remove from heat.
   Tip inside step: Taste and adjust salt/sugar now; the noodles will temper the sauce later.
2. Cook the noodles
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles until just al dente (7–9 min). Drain well.
   Helpful note: Slightly undercooking prevents mushy noodles after baking.
3. Mix the creamy layer
   In a bowl, combine sour cream, softened cream cheese, and diced onion until smooth.
   Option: Prefer softer onion? Sauté it briefly with the beef instead.
4. Assemble the layers
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch dish. Layer in this order:
   • Half the noodles
   • Half the sour-cream mixture
   • Half the beef-tomato sauce
     Repeat the layers once more. Sprinkle cheddar evenly on top.
     Tip inside step: Spread the cream layer gently so it doesn’t pull up noodles; a small offset spatula helps.
5. Bake to finish
   Bake uncovered 25–30 min, until the cheese is melted, golden at the edges, and the casserole is bubbling. Rest 5–10 min before slicing so layers set.

Pro Tips

• Make-ahead: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake covered for 15 min, then uncover and bake 20–25 min more until hot and melted.
• Easy swaps: Use rotini, penne, or wide ribbons; sub mozzarella for cheddar; replace tomato sauce + sugar with your favorite marinara.
• Boost the veg: Fold in a cup of sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or thawed peas to add color and nutrients without changing the spirit of the dish.

Nutrition Info (Estimated)

Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.

Hamburger Casserole

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• Author: carlosramirez
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Diet: None

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Description

A cozy, old-school casserole featuring savory ground beef, tender egg noodles, and a creamy layer—topped with bubbly cheddar cheese.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 (15-oz) cans tomato sauce
• 1 tsp white sugar, or to taste
• 1 tsp garlic salt, or to taste
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1 (8-oz) package egg noodles
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 large white onion, finely diced
• ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or more to taste)
• Cooking spray or butter for greasing pan

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Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Cook ground beef, breaking it up, until browned and crumbly (5–7 min). Drain excess fat. Stir in tomato sauce, sugar, garlic salt, and salt. Simmer for 15–20 min, then remove from heat.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles until just al dente (7–9 min). Drain well.
3. In a bowl, combine sour cream, softened cream cheese, and diced onion until smooth.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch dish. Layer half the noodles, then half the sour-cream mixture, followed by half the beef-tomato sauce. Repeat the layers once more. Sprinkle cheddar evenly on top.
5. Bake uncovered for 25–30 min, until the cheese is melted and golden. Rest for 5–10 min before slicing.

Notes

Can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. For easy swaps, use rotini or mozzarella; add sautéed vegetables for extra nutrition.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American