This Quick and Easy Amish Hamburger Casserole is a simple, wholesome and comforting one-dish meal that’s perfect for busy nights. It’s a dinner that I grew up with, and now I’m happy to be sharing it with my own family. The kids have deemed this ground beef recipe “one of the best casseroles that I’ve ever made!”
When it comes to feeding our families, recipes like this cozy dinner make the daily task much easier. I grew up on my mom’s Hamburger Casserole, and I’m happy to report that it’s now one of my kids’ favorite dishes as well. What’s not to love about layers of noodles, meat, and cheese?!
How to make Amish Hamburger Casserole:
In general, a “casserole” is any food that is cooked and served in the same dish. Casseroles typically include three main components: a base that provides the main flavor and texture of the dish (in this case, the ground beef), an extender that helps thicken the dish (here it’s the pasta), and a binder or liquid that holds it all together (such as the tomato soup). We’ve checked all of the boxes with this easy hamburger casserole recipe, and we’ve upped the ante with some vegetables, cheese and sour cream! Let’s get started…
Ingredients:
- Egg noodles
- Cream cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Sour cream
- Butter
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Green bell pepper
- Can of diced tomatoes
- Condensed tomato soup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Grated cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Step 1: Prepare the Cheese Sauce
You'll begin by combining the sour cream, the cottage cheese, and the butter with a block of softened cream cheese.
Whisk, whisk, whisk until it’s smooth.
Step 2: Assemble the Casserole
Now it’s time to assemble the casserole! You’ll start by placing half of the cooked egg noodles in the bottom of a large baking dish.
Top the noodles with half of the cream cheese mixture,
and then add a layer of meat sauce.
Repeat the layers one more time, and finish it off with a hefty sprinkling of grated cheese.
Step 3: Bake the Hamburger Casserole
Bake the dish in a 350 degree F oven (uncovered) for about 25 to 30 minutes, or just until hot and bubbly. Your family will want to dive right into this soul-nurturing, satisfying supper!
What to serve with Amish Hamburger Casserole:
Since this casserole includes protein, veggies and a starch, you really don’t need anything else on the side. Convenient, right? However, if you’d like to round out the meal with a couple of other options, here are some great sides that go well with the casserole:
- A simple green salad tossed with balsamic vinaigrette;
- Roasted broccoli;
- Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans;
- Roasted asparagus;
- Dinner rolls, crusty French bread, or buttermilk biscuits
- Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread, or Skillet Cornbread
- Southern Fried Apples
Preparation and Storage Tips:
- Prep ahead: You can assemble this casserole in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
- I do not recommend freezing this casserole, as the sour cream mixture has a tendency to "break" when thawed.
- Have leftovers? The cooked casserole will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To reheat a previously baked casserole: Cover the dish loosely with foil to prevent the top from excess browning. Warm in a 300 degree F oven for about 20 minutes, or just until heated through. If you need the topping to get crispy again, remove the foil cover during the final 5-10 minutes. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, just until heated through.
Cook's Tips and Recipe Variations:
- Cooking for a Smaller Family? You can cut the ingredients in half and prepare the casserole in an 8-inch square baking dish.
- Use ground turkey or ground chicken in lieu of the ground beef.
- Omit the bell pepper or onion if your family doesn't like those extra vegetables, or substitute with different veggies.
- If you don't have egg noodles, you can substitute with 8 ounces of another pasta that your family enjoys -- such as penne, elbows or farfalle.
More hamburger casserole recipes that you might enjoy:
- Hamburger Pie
- Ground Beef Casserole with Tomato Soup
- Hamburger Casserole with Tater Tots
- 4-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole
- Hamburger Casserole with Rice
Amish Hamburger Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked egg noodles (about 5 cups uncooked)
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 8 ounces (1 cup) cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 ½ lbs. lean ground beef
- ⅓ cup chopped onion
- ½ green bell pepper, diced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- ¾ cup condensed tomato soup, NOT diluted
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and melted butter. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain excess fat. Return beef to the skillet and add onion, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, tomato soup, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
- Place ½ of the cooked pasta in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with ½ of the cream cheese mixture and ½ of the meat mixture. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients. Top with shredded cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through.
Notes
- Prep ahead: You can assemble this casserole in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
- I do not recommend freezing this casserole, as the sour cream mixture has a tendency to "break" when thawed.
- Have leftovers? The cooked casserole will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To reheat a previously baked casserole: Cover the dish loosely with foil to prevent the top from excess browning. Warm in a 300 degree F oven for about 20 minutes, or just until heated through. If you need the topping to get crispy again, remove the foil cover during the final 5-10 minutes. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, just until heated through.
- Cooking for a Smaller Family? You can cut the ingredients in half and prepare the casserole in an 8-inch square baking dish.
- Use ground turkey or ground chicken in lieu of the ground beef.
- Omit the bell pepper or onion if your family doesn't like those extra vegetables, or substitute with different veggies.
- If you don't have egg noodles, you can substitute with 8 ounces of another pasta that your family enjoys -- such as penne, elbows or farfalle.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I'm not looking forward to summer ending, but I am looking forward to fall and cooler weather! I can't believe kids go back to school in just two weeks, so crazy! This hamburger casserole sounds like a delicious meal, Blair! I love the hearty ingredients in here. Sounds perfect for back-to-school or anytime!
Blair
Thanks, Gayle! I agree -- bring on the fall and cooler weather!
Franci
Regarding the Amish Hamburger Casserole, are we to drain the juice of the diced tomatoes? I want to make this soon but I’m afraid of having a sloppy mess. Please let me know. Thank you, Franci pS I just discovered you. This will be my first time trying one of your recipes.
Blair
Hi, Franci! Yes -- in the recipe card at the bottom of the post it calls for a 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes drained. So glad that you found my site. I hope you enjoy the casserole!
Terry
Could I substitute ricotta for the cottage cheese
Blair
Hi, Terry! Yes, I think that would work fine. The ricotta will have a thicker, stiffer texture than the cottage cheese, but it should still be okay. The ricotta also isn't nearly as salty as cottage cheese, so you might need to add some extra seasoning. Hope you enjoy!
Elizabeth ketcher
Can I use this and just add some peas an carrots along with the onions an peppers
Blair
Absolutely, Elizabeth! Feel free to add what you enjoy. If you're using fresh, raw carrots, you may want to steam them first so that they're not too crunchy in the casserole. Enjoy!
Make
Nice article about Amish Hamburger Casserole. You explained it in great way as before that it was not so easy. Keep it up
Blair
Thank you! 🙂
Kristy from Southern In Law
Yum! We definitely need to try this soon as it looks delicious!
Blair
Thanks so much! I hope that you do!
April
Absolutely a smashing hit with the family. Will make again, thank you
Blair
Wonderful! Thanks, April! I'm so glad that you all enjoyed it. 🙂
Diane
I made this tonight....WOW!! I had 2 men and myself that went back for 2nds, (I never go back for 2nds). I will be taking this for lunch tomorrow also, (I am NOT a lunch eater, I eat 1 time a day.....unusually breakfast). I made this EXACTLY as the recipe stated and it was AMAZING!! Another commenter said....there wasnt enough cheese, HOGWASH....there is PLENTY of cheese in this recipe AS IS!!! Thank you for sharing, I WILL be making this again and again!!
Blair
YAY! I'm so glad that it was a hit in your house, Diane! My boys all love this meal, too. And I agree -- there's plenty of cheese in the recipe. 🙂 Thanks so much for your positive feedback!
Karen
Do I have to use cottage cheese ?? I don’t even like the looks or smell of it .!! Lol
Blair
Hi, Karen! Nope, you definitely don't need to use cottage cheese if you don't like it. 🙂
Do you like ricotta cheese? That's a good substitute, but you'd need to season it with a bit of salt and pepper because it doesn't have as much flavor on its own. If you don't like that substitute, you can even just omit the cottage cheese altogether and replace it with a little bit more sour cream and cream cheese. The casserole will obviously have a different taste and texture, but it should still "work."
Jessica
I tried this recipe and started layering it but decided to just mix it all together and bake it. I also added some additional seasoning-italian seating and minced garlic. Added a bit more flavor and turned out good. Even my 7 year old who doesn't like anything didn't complain about his supper. I can only give it a four star because of the canned tomato soup, I generally don't use canned foods.
Home Cook
I made this and it was very good but a little on the dry side. I would suggest adding half or anither can of tomato soup and doubling the cottage cheese mixture. You can always discard what you dont use but i neesed a little more. I also seasoned my meat very well, used red and green bellpeppers and ground turkey instead of beef as i dont eat red meat. Other than those tweaks, great recipe!
Blair
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
JoAnn Patrick
I made this last night for dinner! Everyone loved it!!! this is definitely a recipe to keep! I modified mine a bit as I didn't have everything on hand. I used macaroni since I didn't have egg noodles, and I used ricotta cheese since I didn't have cottage cheese but still excellent!
Thank you for a wonderful recipe.
Blair
Awesome! Thanks so much for letting me know, JoAnn! Your substitutions sound perfect. 🙂
Alyssa crowe
5 stars!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Easy to follow recipie and it was so delicious ...I don't even like tomatoes ....I will share this with anyone who asks
Blair
Awesome! Thank you, Alyssa!!! 🙂
Kirsten
I love this recipe, and though it is meant for a quick meal, I let my sauce simmer for a few hours so all the flavors would marry. I seasoned the meat as it cooked with salt, pepper, garlic powder and added some dried Italian seasoning.I added some garlic cloves that I put through a garlic press.I have to say that this was so delicious, it will become a part of my monthly meal rotation. The tomato soup adds a nice depth of flavor to the sauce. Thank you for sharing.
Blair
Wow, your version sounds amazing, Kirsten! 🙂
Moonshadows
Yummy! I omited onion and bell pepper but stired in a pouch of beefy onion dry soup mix to the beef, used tomatoe bisque and a sprinkle of cinnamon to beef mixture, and italian diced tomatoes...everything else the same...a real winner with the picky eaters in my family.
Thank you for a great receipe
Blair
Sounds great! Thank you! 🙂
Brenda
I made this tonight and it was really good. I also experimented on a lower carb version using Zucchini noodles and even that was good. Thanks so much really enjoyed it!
Blair
That's great, Brenda! I'm so glad to know that the zucchini noodles worked, too! 🙂
grayslady
I made this earlier in the week for a friend I was looking after who underwent surgery. We both adored it. I used up some bolognese sauce I made last week in place of the meat and tomatoes, but I still added the Worcestershire to change the character in keeping with the recipe. This is truly my dream-tasting hamburger casserole. I think it's the excellent combination of cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream and butter that makes it so special. Thanks for sharing this recipe. It will definitely be part of my fall-winter-spring standards.
Blair
Wonderful! I'm so glad to hear that you and your friend enjoyed the meal! I bet it's delicious with your homemade sauce! 🙂
Rhonda Tidwell
Made on our first day of cooler weather here in the south! This a great and delicious meal. My family loved it. My hubs says, I hope you kept the recipe. I give you 5 stars!
Blair
Wonderful!! I'm so happy to hear that you and your husband enjoyed the meal. Thanks, Rhonda!
Tracey
I make this all the time! I LOVE it!! And your “dump and bake@ casseroles are AMAZING! I’m a HUGE fan of your recipes! They work so well with my hectic lifestyle.
Hugs!!!
Tracey
Blair
Thank you so much, Tracey! I'm so glad that you find the recipes helpful and that you enjoy this casserole. 🙂
Sara Easley
SOOOO GOOOD! AND i have a pretty picky husband and son. I prepared it on sunday and threw in oven wednesday (busy working mom that loves prepped food). Also just as delicious warmed up next day.
Blair
Yay! So glad that this was a hit in your house, Sara! Good to know that you can prep it that far ahead -- so convenient for a busy mamma! 🙂
Mike G
Is this a loose or a firm casserole? What I mean by that is do you spoon this out of the casserole dish or do you slice it and then remove it by the section?
Blair
Hi, Mike! I'd say it's a loose casserole. It's not as firm as something like lasagna that you can slice into squares. Hope that helps!
Vicky
Looking for one recipe, found this instead. It was great, didn't tweak except for garlic powder. Put the topping cheese on after baking. Hubby came back for 3rd helping and has taken the rest for lunch.
Blair
Great! So glad that the husband approved, too! 🙂
Melody J Scherting
I have not made this recipe yet but I do cook for 25-40 people at my local food kitchen for homeless. It would be wonderful to have this recipe for a larger group of people rather than for Six servings. Most shelters and soup kitchens want to have donors make enough for at least 12 people. It was sort of disappointing that you have these listed under "Meals for Homeless" Am I missing something on your site that would allow me to convert to bigger group? I saw how to halve recipe but sometimes increasing a recipe causes the food to not turn out quite right. I don't want to have to make this four times! I usually bake in those foil lasagne pans I can buy at my grocer. thanks for your help!
Blair
Hi, Melody!
I'm not sure where you saw it listed as "Meals for the Homeless," because I don't have that categorization on my own site. Was it a link on some other website? If so, I'm sorry -- I don't have any control over that.
I'm not familiar with the volume that a foil lasagne pan can hold, but I would guess that it's about double that of a regular 9 x 13 casserole dish that I used here. As a result, you should be able to quadruple the ingredients and bake the recipe in two large pans. For instance, use 32 ounces of noodles, 32 ounces of cream cheese, 4 cups of cottage cheese, 2 cups of sour cream, etc. and divide everything between the two pans. The cooking time should be roughly the same, although you'll likely want to add 5-10 minutes to the total bake time just to account for the larger quantity in each pan.
Hope that helps, and enjoy!
Tammie. Peace
Making this SOON !!! Already plans / ingredients bought for Quinoa Chicken Fajita Dump n Bake Casserole .. My son who is ”not a big fan ofcasserole type dishes” absolutely said “l LOVE it” first time I made it ..!! And ate 3 huge helpings of it ..!!! Have made it probably 4-5 in the last couplein of months and I’m NOT a big cook ..!!!
Blair
Wonderful! Enjoy, Tammie! 🙂
Kathy
I added extra tomatoes and soup. This recipe was a huge winner! Thanks !
Blair
Wonderful! Thanks, Kathy!
Cristina Messina
I recently visited my daughter and son-in-law in Baltimore MD and while there I made the Amish Hamburger Casserole, oh boy it was a hit!!
I am now back home in Arizona and my son-in-law just texted me asking for the recipe!!! Thank you for the easy to follow recipes and they taste so delicious. Plus, I am enjoying the photos you post of the surrounding nature, so beautiful.
Blair
That's wonderful, Cristina! Thank you so much for sharing my recipes with your family, and for taking the time to come back here and leave me a kind note. Take care!
Lisa Graziano
The best ever. Better than lasagna per my Italian husband. I ran out of green pepper so I used poblano instead and had no tomato soup so I used stewed tomatoes and thickened the juice. Superb.
Blair
Oh my gosh, that's such a huge compliment. Thank you, Lisa!
Ricky
I made it as described and it was awesome! Left overs will only last one day, I work from home so this will be lunch and then supper again tomorrow. Thank you for sharing with us.
Blair
Sounds perfect, Ricky. Thank you!