Description
This comforting Hamburger Casserole combines tender wide egg noodles with a creamy blend of cheeses and savory ground beef mixed with tomatoes and bell peppers. Baked to perfection with a cheesy topping, this dish makes a hearty and crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Noodles & Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces uncooked wide egg noodles
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup cottage cheese, at room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ lbs. ground beef
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ of a medium green bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- ¾ cup condensed tomato soup, not diluted
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Topping & Garnish
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside for later use.
- Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the wide egg noodles and cook until just barely al dente, about 5 to 6 minutes, which is one minute less than the package directs. Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside.
- Mix Cheese Base: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and melted butter. Stir the mixture well until it becomes smooth and creamy. Set this mixture aside.
- Cook Beef Mixture: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and diced green bell pepper. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are translucent. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add Tomato Ingredients: Stir the drained diced tomatoes, condensed tomato soup, and Worcestershire sauce into the cooked beef mixture, mixing well to combine all flavors.
- Layer the Casserole: Spread half of the cooked noodles evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture over the noodles, then top with half of the beef and tomato mixture. Repeat these layers with the remaining noodles, cream cheese mixture, and beef mixture.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges of the casserole are bubbly and slightly browned.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley to add a touch of color and freshness.
Notes
- For a sharper flavor, use cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella.
- Make sure to drain the diced tomatoes well to prevent excess liquid in the casserole.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a lighter version.
- If you prefer spicier flavors, add a pinch of chili flakes when cooking the beef.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
