Hamburger Noodle Casserole

Name: Hamburger Noodle Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 lb Ground Beef; ½ Cup onions (diced); 1 clove garlic (crushed); 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon sugar; 16 oz can tomato sauce; 12 oz egg noodles; 1 Cup sour cream; 1 Cup cottage cheese; ½ Cup mozzarella (shredded)

This Hamburger Noodle Casserole is the definition of comfort food. It’s a timeless dish that’s meaty, flavorful, and best of all, easy to make.

Table of Contents

Many vintage hamburger casserole recipes use canned soups, but not this one. It features a homemade tomato sauce and a blend of cheeses, adding a whole new level of flavor to this classic dish.

If you’re a fan of this casserole, you’ll also love my homemade sloppy joes, ground beef casserole, and jiffy cornbread casserole. They’re all family-friendly meals that are easy to make and oh-so-delicious.

vintage recipe for hamburger noodle casserole

This hamburger noodle recipe was found in a vintage cookbook surrounded by other hamburger recipes. I chose this one because my kids love a good layered tomato-based recipe.

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This Hamburger Noodle Casserole is a time-saving recipe. It’s quick and easy to make, perfect for those busy weeknights. I love how simple it is to pull together!
Comfort Food: Nothing beats a good old comfort food and this casserole is the definition of comfort food.
Family Favorite: It’s a hit with the whole family. The combination of ground beef, noodles, and cheese is a real crowd-pleaser.
Budget-Friendly: It’s an affordable way to feed a family. With simple, everyday ingredients, it’s easy on the wallet.

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Key Ingredients

Ground Beef: This is the star of the show, giving the casserole its hearty and satisfying flavor.
Onions: Diced onions add a delicious, savory flavor and a bit of texture to the casserole.
Garlic: Crush the garlic to release its strong, aromatic flavor, which will give the casserole a delicious kick.
Salt: A pinch of salt helps to enhance all the other flavors in the dish, making them more vibrant and delicious.
Sugar: Just a touch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomato sauce, giving the casserole a more rounded flavor.
Tomato Sauce: This is the base of the casserole, providing a rich, tangy flavor and a saucy consistency.
Egg Noodles: These will cook up tender and absorb the flavors of the other ingredients, making each bite deliciously satisfying.
Sour Cream: This will add a creamy, tangy flavor to the casserole, and it also helps to keep the dish moist.
Cottage Cheese: It adds a unique, creamy texture and a mild, tangy flavor to the casserole.
Mozzarella: When melted, mozzarella cheese becomes gooey and delicious, adding a stringy, cheesy element to the casserole.

Equipment

9×13-inch Baking Pan – You’ll need this to layer the noodles, ground beef, and the sour cream mixture before baking the casserole in the oven.
Large Skillet – This is essential for browning the ground beef and cooking the onions, as well as for simmering the tomato sauce with the meat.

scooped hamburger noodle casserole in baking pan

How to Make Hamburger Noodle Casserole

Preparation

To start, preheat your oven to 350˚ F. This will make sure that it’s at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake your casserole.

Step 1 – Cook the Egg Noodles

Boil a pot of water and add the egg noodles. Cook them according to the package directions. Once they’re done, drain the water and set the noodles aside.

Step 2 – Brown the Ground Beef and Onions

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and the diced onions until the beef is brown and the onions are soft. Once cooked, drain off the fat.

Step 3 – Add the Flavor to the Ground Beef

To the cooked ground beef, add minced garlic, salt, sugar, and tomato sauce. Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer. Let it simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors combine.

Step 4 – Prepare the Creamy Mixture

In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream and the cottage cheese. This will add a delicious, creamy layer to your casserole.

Step 5 – Layer the Casserole

In a greased 9×13 baking pan, start layer the casserole. Begin with half of the cooked egg noodles, then layer half of the ground beef mixture, and half of the sour cream and cottage cheese mixture. Repeat this layer once more, and then top everything off with a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 6 – Bake the Casserole

Place your casserole in the preheated oven and bake it for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.

Step 7 – Serve the Casserole

Once your casserole is done, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, it’s ready to serve. Enjoy your hearty, satisfying hamburger noodle casserole!

Expert Tip

To really boost the garlic flavor in your hamburger noodle casserole, take the extra step of cooking the crushed garlic in the pan for a few minutes until it becomes aromatic before adding the tomato sauce. This simple technique will make a big difference in the overall flavor of your dish.

Recipe Variations

More Cheese: If you’re a cheese lover, feel free to add more shredded mozzarella between the layers. This will make the casserole extra cheesy and delicious.
Seasonings: While the recipe calls for salt and sugar, you can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or onion powder to the ground beef for extra flavor.
Different Pasta: Although the recipe uses egg noodles, you can also try this with other types of pasta like penne or rotini for a fun twist on the classic recipe.

What to Serve With

This hamburger noodle casserole is a complete meal on its own, but you can also pair it with a fresh green salad for a well-rounded dinner. The crisp, refreshing salad is a perfect contrast to the warm, hearty casserole.
If you’re hosting a brunch, this casserole makes a wonderful addition to the menu. Serve it with some savory breakfast items like bacon, eggs, and hash browns for a delicious start to the day.
For a cozy family dinner, I like to serve this casserole with a side of garlic bread. The buttery, garlicky bread is great for soaking up the extra tomato sauce and adds a nice crunch to the meal.

Make Ahead Instructions

Make ahead as directed and store covered in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, follow baking instructions and add additional minutes if needed. Can also freeze before baking, and then let thaw and bake as directed.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta for this hamburger noodle casserole?

Yes, you can. If you don’t have egg noodles on hand, feel free to use any other type of pasta. Penne or rotini would work well in this recipe.

What can I use as a substitute for cottage cheese?

If you’re not a fan of cottage cheese, you can substitute it with an equal amount of ricotta cheese. This will give the casserole a similar creamy texture.

Do I have to use mozzarella for the topping?

No, you can get creative with the cheese topping. Cheddar or parmesan would also be delicious. Feel free to use a combination of different cheeses for a more complex flavor.

Storing and Reheating

Storing: After enjoying this delicious casserole, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing: If you want to freeze this casserole, I recommend doing so before baking. Simply prepare it in a freezer-safe dish, cover it well, and pop it in the freezer. It can be kept frozen for up to 3 months.
Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen casserole, let it thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Once thawed, you can follow the baking instructions as normal. Keep in mind that the casserole may need a little extra time in the oven since it will be starting from a colder temperature.

Serving Size

What to Expect: This hamburger noodle casserole recipe yields a hearty and satisfying dish that can serve 8 to 10 people.
How to Scale: If you’re planning to serve more than 10 people, you can easily double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. You may need to use a larger stockpot to cook the egg noodles and a bigger casserole dish to accommodate the increased quantity.

Hamburger Noodle Casserole

Why I Love This Recipe

Key Ingredients

Equipment