Grandma's Hamburger Casserole Recipe

Grandma's Hamburger Casserole Recipe

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 (8 ounce) package egg noodles
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 large white onion, finely diced
  • cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, or more to taste

Directions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard excess grease.
  2. Stir in tomato sauce, sugar, garlic salt, and regular salt with the ground beef. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the flavors are well blended. Remove from heat and cover the skillet.
  3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles in the boiling water for 7 to 9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are firm but tender. Drain the noodles and set aside.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
  5. In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream, softened cream cheese, and finely diced onion until smooth.
  6. Layer half of the cooked egg noodles in the prepared casserole dish. Spread half of the sour cream mixture over the noodles, followed by half of the ground beef mixture. Repeat the layering process with the remaining noodles, sour cream mixture, and ground beef mixture.
  7. Top the casserole with shredded Cheddar cheese.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Cooks Note

If you prefer, you can saut the diced onion with the beef. Alternatively, add the diced onion along with the cheese before baking for a different flavor profile.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrient Amount % Daily Value
Calories 507 -
Total Fat 33g 42%
Saturated Fat 16g 78%
Cholesterol 134mg 45%
Sodium 975mg 42%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 9g -
Protein 31g 61%
Vitamin C 12mg 14%
Calcium 239mg 18%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 873mg 19%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Grandma's Hamburger Casserole Recipe

Comments

George Wright

05/03/2025 12:57:44 PM

I prepared this casserole last night with a few minor adjustments. Instead of chopping the entire sweet yellow onion, I used my mini chopper to puree it. I substituted tomato sauce with Prego Traditional spaghetti sauce and topped the casserole with a combination of sharp cheddar, romano, and parmesan cheeses. I absolutely adored this casserole, and to my delight, my husband and grandson did too—especially since my husband typically isn't a fan of casseroles or spaghetti. We even had leftovers for lunch today, and it tasted even better the next day. This recipe is definitely a keeper; we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Linda Ramirez

02/03/2023 04:05:32 PM

The dish was delicious, but I couldn't help but notice the lack of herbs and spices. To enhance the flavor, I added 2 teaspoons of dried basil and some freshly ground black pepper. The sour cream mixture gave it a creamy texture and a touch of lightness. I would definitely remake this dish.

Brandon Turner

02/02/2025 09:24:44 AM

This recipe was a breeze to make and a big hit with my family. I made a few tweaks to the original recipe. I opted for ground turkey instead of beef, and while browning the turkey, I added minced garlic and diced onion for extra flavor. Instead of tomato sauce and sugar, I used a jar of spaghetti sauce. I swapped out egg noodles for rotini pasta and switched cheddar cheese for mozzarella. For an extra cheesy twist, I mixed Parmesan cheese into the sour cream and cream cheese mixture.

George Johnson

04/18/2023 09:12:07 PM

Quick and delicious! I cooked the onion and ground beef together, then increased the amount of tomato sauce and added Italian seasoning for extra flavor. Once it started simmering, I stirred in half a pack of uncooked noodles, covered it, and let it sit for an hour. I also mixed a bit of milk into the cream cheese and sour cream mixture to make it more spreadable. The whole family enjoyed it!

Carolyn Davis

03/24/2025 02:38:14 PM

This casserole recipe from the website exceeded my expectations after making a few tweaks. I opted for 1/3 less fat cream cheese and low-fat sour cream, substituted mozzarella for cheddar cheese, and doubled the cream cheese amount. Among other alterations, I included some of the mozzarella in the sour cream/cream cheese/onion mixture. It's crucial to layer the ingredients as directed to ensure pockets of flavor from the sauce and cheese/onion mix, creating an almost lasagna-like taste. The noodles turned out perfectly cooked, not mushy, using extra-large egg noodles boiled for just 5 minutes. We'll definitely be making this dish again. The quality of the tomato sauce used makes a significant difference in the overall taste, so we went with MIDS traditional sauce.

Kathleen Brown

08/26/2023 12:51:07 PM

Being a busy homeschool mom of seven children, I rarely find the time to leave reviews. However, I simply had to share my thoughts on this recipe. It is truly perfect and incredibly versatile! I utilized 1.5 pounds of ground venison and opted to skip the garlic salt, using garlic powder instead. Following the suggestion of other reviewers, I added fresh garlic to the pan and sautéed the onion together. I also incorporated fresh spinach into the layers because I adore spinach in casseroles. Running out of egg noodles, I substituted 3 cups of elbow macaroni, which turned out wonderfully. I topped it off with a generous sprinkling of Mozzarella cheese. The entire family absolutely adored it. This recipe serves as a fantastic base that can be modified in countless ways, making it ideal for those with intermediate cooking skills.

Carolyn Jackson

03/16/2024 05:41:34 AM

I prepare this dish with a slight variation and it turns out absolutely delicious. Instead of the usual recipe, I use 2 pounds of ground beef, 1 pint of sour cream, 11 ounces of whipped cream cheese, and a bunch of chopped green onions. I opt for Chinese noodles that resemble spaghetti. I layer the noodles in a 13x9 dish followed by the cream cheese mixture, tomato mix, and cheese, then refrigerate overnight, covering it securely with foil. The next day, I bake it at 350°F for 40 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for an additional 5 minutes. The end result is incredibly tasty!

Elizabeth Martinez

10/01/2023 11:52:24 PM

I enhanced the flavor by adding Italian seasoning and doubling the sharp cheddar, while choosing garlic powder instead of garlic salt and omitting sugar. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes would give it an extra kick. This egg noodle casserole has great potential and I appreciate the recipe suggestion.

Jack Harris

10/01/2022 08:06:43 PM

Tasty and flavorful.

Joseph Gomez

12/19/2023 10:26:19 AM

Fantastic! I hope I honored my grandma with this dish. I utilized a jar of spaghetti sauce and added some sugar to balance out the acidity. I'm certain grandma didn't have a selection of spaghetti sauces back in her day. Apart from that, I stuck to the recipe. I accidentally melted the cream cheese while attempting to use the microwave's melt setting, but surprisingly, everything turned out perfectly. My husband thoroughly enjoyed it and even went back for seconds! Thank you for sharing this recipe. It was a complete success for us. I will definitely be making it again.

Emma Green

05/17/2025 12:20:23 AM

No adjustments were made to the recipe and it was a hit with everyone.

Rachel Torres

04/28/2023 12:04:38 PM

I cooked this dish last night. After I had gone upstairs, my daughter ate it and then sent me a text saying - "FOOD IS AMAZING DAD! love you ❤️". A few minutes later, she came upstairs to give me a hug and personally compliment the food! I would say that makes this dish a winner! I sautéed the onions with beef and added diced red bell peppers. I used pasta sauce and added extra spices (Italian Seasoning, chili powder, smoked paprika, adobo seasoning). I also mixed in a bit of Mozzarella cheese. Lastly, I added cheese between the layers instead of just on top. Overall, it was a great and easy dish! It's definitely going into my regular rotation. Thanks!

Frank Cruz

09/13/2023 08:29:19 AM

My wife, son, and I all unanimously agree that we will not be making this recipe again. It lacked flavor entirely.