Description
Hearty Amish Country Casserole promises comfort with its creamy, cheesy layers of noodles and ground beef. Generations of home cooks have perfected this simple, satisfying dish that brings warmth to family tables across rural kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 2 cups egg noodles
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Protein and Dairy:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter (for topping, optional)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Fill a generously sized pot with salted water and cook egg noodles until perfectly tender, following package guidelines. Carefully drain and set noodles aside.
- Heat a large skillet and brown ground beef with finely chopped onions over medium temperature, ensuring meat is thoroughly cooked and onions become translucent. Eliminate excess grease.
- Enhance the meat mixture with aromatic garlic powder, smoky paprika, and appropriate salt and pepper. Thoroughly blend seasonings.
- Whisk cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and milk in a spacious mixing bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate cooked noodles, seasoned beef mixture, and sharp cheddar cheese into the soup base. Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Warm the oven to 350F, preparing for baking.
- Transfer the creamy noodle concoction into a well-greased 9×13-inch baking vessel, spreading mixture uniformly.
- Optional: Sprinkle a crispy topping of breadcrumbs or crushed crackers, then delicately place small butter fragments across the surface.
- Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the casserole becomes effervescent and develops a golden-brown exterior.
- Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes, permitting flavors to settle. Serve alongside a fresh garden salad or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Choose wide, flat egg noodles for better sauce absorption and a more authentic Amish texture.
- Brown the ground beef thoroughly to develop a rich, deep flavor that enhances the entire casserole.
- For a lighter version, swap full-fat cream soups with low-sodium or reduced-fat alternatives to cut calories without losing taste.
- Customize the dish by adding vegetables like peas, carrots, or mushrooms to boost nutritional value and create more interesting texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg