Easy Ground Beef Casserole Recipe – 5 Ingredient Comfort Food Recipe For Two!

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner for two, this 5-ingredient ground beef casserole is a fantastic option. It’s hearty, simple to prepare, and versatile enough to customize based on what you have in your kitchen.

It is one of those recipes that is perfect for those nights when you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen but still want something filling and satisfying. And with the help of a few store bought ingredients it comes together in minutes.

You can even make it ahead of time and put it in the oven when you get home. Then by the time you are ready for dinner, you have a delicious meal that is ready to be served. And did I mention that it requires only 5 ingredients?

The 5 Ingredients In Easy Ground Beef Casserole

1. Ground beef: When cooking a casserole for two, you only need 1/2 pound of ground beef. It’s just the right amount for two servings. However if you prefer, you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Just be sure to add oil to the pan when cooking leaner meats so that they don’t stick.

2. Cream of Mushroom Soup: The recipe uses half of a standard size can of cream of mushroom soup. The soup adds creaminess and a little extra flavor to the dish. However, if you’re not a fan of mushroom soup, feel free to swap it out for cream of chicken or cream of celery.

3. Cheddar Cheese Soup: Although you could simply stick to using a full can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, the ground beef casserole has so much flavor when you add a half of a can of cheddar cheese soup.

The Potatoes:

4. Frozen cubed potatoes: Along with the ground meat frozen cubed potatoes provided the foundation of the casserole. You can swap them for frozen hash browns or small tater tots if you have those on hand. I usually purchase the small cubed potatoes that also include diced peppers and onions which add great flavor to the meal. *If you want to use real potatoes, try my Hamburger Potato Casserole.

5. Cheddar cheese: The shredded cheese helps to bind everything together both inside the casserole and as a layer of extra flavor on top.

Salt and pepper: While I don’t consider the spices ‘ingredients’, they’re essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients. Just be sure to be aware of the amount of salt in the soup itself so that you don’t over salt the mixture.

Making the Casserole

This recipe is about as easy as it can be, but let me walk you through it step by step.

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Then, spray a small baking dish (something like a 5 x 7-inch dish or a small 1.5 quart oval casserole dish) with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef

In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and no longer pink. Once it’s cooked, drain off any excess grease.

If you’re using ground turkey or chicken, follow the same process, but be sure to add a little oil to the pan so that the meat doesn’t stick.

Step 3: Mix Everything Together

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, frozen potatoes, half a can of cream of mushroom soup, and half a can of cheddar cheese soup. Stir until everything is well mixed.

Then add ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir again to ensure the ground beef casserole ingredients are well distributed. Finally, season the mixture with a pinch of salt and pepper.

At this point, you can customize the casserole by tossing in extra ingredients like diced onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil. However, depending on the size of your dish you will want to prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil during baking. So be sure to spray the foil with non-stick spray and place it, spray-side down, over the casserole.

Step 5: Bake

Bake the casserole, covered, for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 30 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the cheese on top is starting to turn golden brown.

Once it’s done, let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This step allows it to firm up slightly, making it easier to scoop.

Customizing Your Easy Ground Beef Casserole

One of the best things about this recipe is how adaptable it is. Here are some ways you can tweak it to suit your tastes or use what you have on hand:

• Different Meats: As mentioned earlier, ground turkey, chicken, or pork can replace ground beef. Each option gives the casserole a unique flavor profile.
• Vegetable Add-Ins: While the base recipe is simple, you can make it more robust by adding diced onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers. If you like a little heat, toss in some diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
• Soup Swaps: Don’t have cream of mushroom soup or cheddar cheese soup? No problem. Cream of chicken or celery are excellent substitutes.
• Cheese Options: While cheddar is classic, you can experiment with mozzarella, Colby-Jack, or even a Mexican cheese blend. For a smoky kick, try smoked Gouda or sharp white cheddar for a more tangy flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This casserole is a meal in itself, but if you want to round it out, consider serving it with a simple side salad or some steamed green beans. A slice of crusty bread is also a great addition for soaking up any creamy sauce left on your plate.

Storing and Reheating

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place a serving in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or cover the entire dish with foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

Easy Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 can cream of condensed mushroom soup
• 1/2 can cheddar cheese soup
• 1 1/2 cups cubed frozen potatoes
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a small oval baking dish, or 5 x 7 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a skillet placed over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Then drain the grease and add the meat to a medium size mixing bowl.

Add the 1/2 can of cream of mushroom soup and 1/2 can cheddar cheese soup to the bowl with the beef and stir.

Then add the frozen cubed potatoes to the bowl and 1/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and stir again.

Add a pinch of salt and pepper and mix everything together one final time.

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray and place the spray side down over top of the baking dish.

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 30 minutes or until the edges are bubbly and the cheese is beginning to turn light golden brown in spots.

Remove the ground beef casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy! Mary

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