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Hamburger Casserole

By Laura Bennett · Published 2026-07-18 · 26g protein per serving

Cheesy hamburger casserole with egg noodles in a baking dish

This is the one-pan dinner that uses pantry staples most people already have — ground beef, noodles, canned tomatoes — and turns them into something the whole family actually asks for again.

Cooking the noodles directly in the broth means one less pot and a thicker, more flavorful sauce.

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Keep an eye on the noodles while they simmer — different brands absorb liquid at different rates, so check for tenderness starting at the 10-minute mark rather than trusting the clock alone.

Overhead hamburger casserole fresh from the oven Save this recipe for later — pin it to your dinner board.

Hamburger Casserole

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Total: 45 min Yield: 6 servings 440 cal · 26g protein

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1. Brown the beef

    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In an oven-safe skillet, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic over medium-high heat, about 7 minutes. Drain excess fat.

  2. 2. Simmer with noodles

    Stir in diced tomatoes, beef broth, uncooked egg noodles and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes until noodles are tender.

    Close-up of hamburger casserole showing melted cheese and noodles
  3. 3. Add cheese and bake

    Season with salt and pepper, top with shredded cheddar, and transfer to the oven for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tips & Common Questions

Do I need to cook the noodles separately first?

No — they cook directly in the broth and tomato mixture, which is what makes this a one-dish meal. Just make sure there's enough liquid to cover them while they simmer.

No oven-safe skillet — what do I do?

Brown the beef in a regular skillet, then transfer everything to a baking dish before adding the cheese and baking.

Can I make this ahead?

It reheats well but the noodles soften further — for best texture, assemble through the simmer step and add cheese right before baking if prepping ahead.