Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty Cheeseburger Casserole, blending classic diner flavors with family-friendly ease. Layers of seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and crisp tater tots promise a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 slices bacon
Dairy:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
Pantry and Produce:
- 1 package egg noodles
- 1 can condensed tomato soup
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, crisp the bacon over medium heat until golden and perfectly rendered, then remove and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Using the same skillet with bacon drippings, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic flavors.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles, and cook until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture, then stir in condensed tomato soup, creating a rich and savory base.
- Cook egg noodles according to package instructions, ensuring they’re al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, sour cream, and eggs until smooth and well-combined.
- Layer the cooked noodles in the prepared baking dish, then top with the seasoned meat mixture.
- Pour the cream mixture evenly over the noodles and meat, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the top, then scatter crumbled bacon and breadcrumbs for added texture.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier version of this comfort dish.
- Swap traditional egg noodles with whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Create a low-sodium option by using homemade tomato sauce instead of condensed soup and selecting reduced-salt bacon.
- Enhance meal prep by assembling the casserole ahead of time and refrigerating until ready to bake, which intensifies the flavors and saves cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg