You just have to love a recipe that makes everyone happy, and this beef noodle casserole is exactly that. It’s one of our favorite quick and easy family dinners, and it’s perfect for bringing to a potluck, a team dinner or a friend who needs cheering up. Best of all, this recipe is a cinch to make.
This beef noodle casserole is packed with diced veggies, egg noodles and cheese. Condensed soup (two kinds!) gives the casserole a rich, creamy texture and lots of flavor. The finished dish might resemble those boxed dinner-helper mixes, but this is a more wholesome choice that’s ready in almost the same amount of time, plus it tastes even better. And making it yourself means you’re in control of the ingredients that go into it.
It’s hard to beat cozy noodle casserole recipes like this one to warm everyone up.
Ingredients for Beef Noodle Casserole
- Ground beef: You can never go wrong with a few ground beef recipes in your pocket. Since it browns up in under 10 minutes, ground beef makes this a quick recipe to put together. Use any type of ground beef you prefer. Just drain off any excess grease before adding more ingredients.
- Egg noodles: The recipe calls for cooked wide egg noodles, but you can also use medium egg noodles.
- Vegetables:Â Diced green bell pepper and onion add lots of flavor to this casserole. No time for chopping? Look for bags of frozen diced onions and bell peppers at the store.
- Condensed soups: This shortcut ingredient makes casseroles easy to make—even on busy nights. Our recipe calls for both condensed tomato soup and condensed cream of mushroom soup. If you’re worried about sodium, opt for lower-sodium condensed soups, and adjust the seasoning yourself.
- Shredded cheese: The final touch to this dish is a layer of shredded cheddar, which becomes a melted and bubbling top layer once baked. Our Test Kitchen has picked the best cheddar cheeses for almost any recipe.
Directions
Step 1: Brown the beef
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 3-quart baking dish. Crumble the ground beef into a large skillet, and brown it over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease, and move the meat to a plate.
Editor’s Tip: You can use a round or oval baking dish or a 13×9-inch baking pan or baking dish.
Step 2: Add the other ingredients
Melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the onion and green pepper. Cook over medium heat for five to seven minutes, until they become tender. Stir the cooked beef back into the skillet, along with the Worcestershire sauce, egg noodles, tomato soup and cream of mushroom soup.
Editor’s Tip: Taste the mixture before the next step. While the Worcestershire sauce and soups will add some salt, this is your chance to add more if needed, plus other spices like black pepper and garlic powder for extra seasoning.
Step 3: Bake the casserole
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, and top with the cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until it’s heated through and the cheese is melted. If desired, garnish with green onions. Serve.
Beef Noodle Casserole Variations
- Add more veggies: Readers love adding their favorite frozen vegetables to this casserole, including diced carrots, peas and broccoli florets. Cook any veggies first, then drain them or pat them dry to remove excess moisture. Stir them into the beef-noodle mixture before transferring to the baking dish.
- Try different cheeses: Shredded Swiss cheese would taste amazing with the beef and mushrooms in this casserole. Colby, provolone and other easy-melting, shredded cheeses are worth trying here, too.
- Add a crunchy topping: Before putting the casserole in the oven, sprinkle it with seasoned breadcrumbs, panko crumbs or crushed crackers.
How do you store beef noodle casserole?
This casserole will last in an airtight container in the fridge for three to four days. Reheat portions of the casserole in the microwave or at a low temperature in the oven until warmed through.
Can you freeze beef noodle casserole?
Yes, this is one of those casserole recipes that freezes very well. Place individual portions in freezer-safe airtight containers, and freeze them for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw the frozen portions in the fridge before reheating. Make sure you know everything about how to freeze a casserole the right way.
Beef Noodle Casserole Tips
What can you use instead of Worcestershire sauce?
If you don’t have any of this salty, flavorful dark sauce on hand, we recommend using soy sauce, fish sauce or oyster sauce in its place. Miso paste thinned with water is another ingredient that will enhance this casserole. (Check out even more Asian sauces that should be in your pantry.)
Do you have to brown the beef before putting it in the casserole?
Yes, you need to brown the beef in a skillet before putting it in the casserole. This step ensures that the beef cooks all the way through. It also allows you to remove the extra grease. Browning also makes the beef much more flavorful. This step only adds about 10 minutes to the recipe, and it’s really worth it. Here’s more on how to brown ground beef the right way.
