Hamburger Casserole Hearty Homemade Wellplated Com

If you are looking for a healthy dinner to add to your greatest hits list—and I think we could all do with more recipes that the members of our household embrace with unanimous enthusiasm—this appealing hamburger casserole is it! I based this hearty hamburger casserole off of my Homemade Hamburger Helper, which so many of you have told me has become a weekly staple. Kids, adults, even picky toddlers think it’s all the rage. It was Ben’s favorite recipe last year! This homemade hamburger casserole takes a similar approach (a healthy, from-scratch spin on old-school Hamburger Helper), but turns the nostalgic dish into an extra cheesy, crispy breadcrumb-topped baked pasta. It also incorporates a few lessons from this Ground Beef and Potatoes, another contender for first place in the Everyone In My House Loves This Dish Awards. Of course, my childhood dinner goals would not have included the boring “adult” details of this recipe—the fact that this healthy hamburger casserole with noodles contains a surprising amount of vegetables and whole grains, is lightened up with Greek yogurt, and is 100% homemade (no canned soup!) can stay a secret. Grown-ups, feel good about this insider knowledge. It’s especially gratifying when everyone goes back for seconds.

How to Make Hamburger Casserole

To make hamburger stroganoff from scratch (this hamburger casserole shares many similarities to reader favorites Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff and Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff), you begin with browning ground beef with onions, herbs, and spices, then simmer it with tomato sauce and Greek yogurt for creaminess. The noodles are cooked, then stirred into the sauce with the beef. From here we kick into casserole mode. Layer the saucy noodles and beef with cheese, top with breadcrumbs, then bake away!

The Ingredients

Lean Ground Beef. Protein-packed, healthy, and flavorful, lean ground beef is a stellar choice for a hearty and nutritious casserole like this one.

Carrots. With crowd-pleasing flavor and exceptional nutritional value, carrots are a five-star addition to this casserole. They add a touch of sweetness and texture.

Green Pepper. Adds both color and nutritional value to this casserole. Green peppers are rich in vitamins and potassium. Hot Sauce. A little hot sauce gives the casserole the perfect amount of dimension without making it spicy. Spices. Smoked paprika and cumin add depth and complement the beef. Tomato Sauce. An easy way to add liquid to our casserole and give it richness. 2% Greek Yogurt. Greek yogurt helps create a thick, creamy, and comfy casserole. Plus, it adds oodles of protein and calcium. Whole Wheat Noodles. Using whole wheat noodles adds extra fiber, helping make this casserole more filling.

Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Melty, gooey cheddar cheese is the perfect complement to the ground beef and noodles. It also creates a scrumptious “lid’ for the casserole with the panko. Panko. For a crispy, irresistible casserole topping. Green Onions. For color, freshness, and zip.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate casserole in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or reheat gently in the microwave.To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Baking Dish. Perfect for this casserole. Dutch Oven. My favorite tool for preparing casserole ingredients. Spatula. Heat-resistant and easy to clean.

What recipes are on your greatest hits list? I hope this hamburger casserole joins its distinct ranks soon! You could also experiment with making this hamburger casserole with rice instead of noodles.

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Hamburger Casserole Recipe

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