Hamburger Noodle Casserole

Casseroles are known for being one of the heartiest types of comfort foods. They’re easy to make on a busy weeknight and feed the whole family, which makes the one-pot meals a true dinnertime hero. This hamburger noodle casserole is everything you want in a dinner, all piled into one bubbly dish. It’s meaty, cheesy, filled with flavor and delightfully easy to whip up. Green onions add pops of bright, vibrant flavor to the savory dish.

Ingredients for Hamburger Noodle Casserole

• Egg noodles: These wide noodles are perfect for soaking up saucy dishes such as this hamburger noodle casserole.
• Ground beef: Ground beef is what makes a hamburger a hamburger, so it’s an essential ingredient in this recipe. However, if you’re looking to lighten it up a bit, you can absolutely use ground turkey instead.
• Garlic cloves: Garlic adds a bit of earthy umami here, which is a great way to offset the richness from the cheese and ground beef.
• Tomato sauce: Jarred tomato sauce offers sweetness and a bit of acidity to this dish. It’s also a great way to add moisture while bringing everything together, all in a convenient and ready-to-pour package.
• Sugar: Thanks to the beef, cheese and sour cream, this can be a bit of a salty, tangy dish. A sprinkle of sugar helps soften it up a bit with necessary sweetness.
• Cream cheese: Mild and creamy, cream cheese brings all the components together by adding cool, refreshing flavor.
• Ricotta cheese: This spreadable cheese is a great way to add an extra layer of flavor to this casserole.
• Sour cream: A bit of tangy flavor helps balance out the richness from the ground beef, and sour cream is just the way to do it.
• Green onions: Bright, vibrant and full of powerful flavor, green onions taste a bit like onions and garlic at the same time. Reserve the green parts of the onion for a bold and colorful garnish.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: Bubbly cheddar cheese makes an irresistible topping for this hearty casserole. Sprinkle some on right before it goes in the oven and bake until it’s golden and completely melted.

Directions    

Step 1: Cook the noodles

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the noodles according to the package directions.

Step 2: Sauté the beef

Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the beef until it’s no longer pink. Add the garlic and cook for one minute longer, then drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt and pepper and heat through. Drain the noodles then stir into the beef mixture.

Step 3: Mix the cheeses

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, ricotta cheese and sour cream until they are all blended. Stir in half of the onions.

Step 4: Assemble the casserole

Spoon half the noodle mixture into a 13×9-in. baking dish that’s coated with cooking spray, then top with the cheese mixture and the remaining noodle mixture.

Step 5: Bake until bubbly

Cover the dish and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover; then sprinkle with the cheddar cheese. Bake until it’s heated through and the cheese is melted, 5 to 10 minutes longer. Sprinkle with the remaining onions.

Recipe Variations 

• Use ground turkey or chicken: This is a rich and hearty dish, but you can absolutely lighten it up a bit by using a different type of meat. Try swapping the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken instead.
• Add some vegetables: If you’d like to add some veggies to this hamburger noodle casserole, you can absolutely incorporate a variety of options. Chopped broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers or mushrooms are all great options. If you’d like to add vegetables, add them into the skillet in step 2. Let the vegetables sauté until slightly soft and follow the recipe as indicated.

How to Store Hamburger Noodle Casserole

To store this hamburger noodle casserole, first let it come down to room temperature. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container, affix the lid and place it in the refrigerator.

How long does this hamburger noodle casserole last?

This hamburger noodle casserole can last for about three to five days if stored properly in the refrigerator.  

Hamburger Noodle Casserole Tips    

Can I add a crunchy topping?

You can absolutely add a crunchy topping to this hamburger noodle casserole. Before placing it in the oven to bake, sprinkle on some breadcrumbs or panko.

Can I use a different type of noodle?

While we think egg noodles are the best option for this dish, you can absolutely use a different type of noodle if you don’t have them on hand. Any medium- to large-sized noodle would work well, but specifically shells or elbows are our favorites. You could also try bowtie pasta or rigatoni here.

What other cheeses would taste good in this dish?

If you don’t have cheddar, try Monterey jack, American or pepper jack cheese instead. They’re all mild cheeses that melt nicely and help add creamy texture to this hamburger noodle casserole.