Easy & Hearty Amish Country Casserole: A Beloved Weeknight Family Favorite
Discover the ultimate comfort food for your busy weeknights with this incredible Amish Country Casserole recipe. This beloved dish is renowned for its simplicity, affordability, and incredibly satisfying nature. Crafted with tender ground beef, classic egg noodles, and a rich, easy-to-make homemade sauce (without a drop of cream of mushroom soup!), it’s finished with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a perfect golden top. Get ready to add this filling and flavorful ground beef casserole to your regular dinner rotation!
The Delightful Appeal of Amish Country Casserole
Even though I live in close proximity to Missouri’s beautiful Amish country, I must admit that the “Amish” designation for this particular casserole might not be 100% historically accurate. While many traditional Amish recipes are known for their simplicity and hearty ingredients, this ground beef and noodle casserole has truly become a staple across many American homes. Regardless of its exact origins, what truly matters is its undeniable appeal as an easy, comforting, and quick-to-prepare weeknight meal. It’s the kind of dish that brings families together around the dinner table, offering warmth and satisfaction after a long day.
Perhaps you’ve encountered a version of this classic casserole before. However, I’m excited to share my unique take, which has become a personal favorite and a staple in my kitchen. My recipe offers a slight but significant twist that you’re sure to appreciate, especially if you have dietary restrictions or simply prefer fresh ingredients.
No Cream of Mushroom Soup: A Delicious & Allergy-Friendly Twist
One of the most distinctive features of my Amish Country Casserole recipe is the complete absence of cream of mushroom soup. While many traditional casserole recipes rely on this ingredient for convenience and creamy texture, I’ve developed a homemade sauce from scratch that not only eliminates the need for canned soup but also elevates the flavor profile. My reason for this culinary adaptation is quite personal: I have a mushroom allergy, which led me to create a version of this beloved dish that I could safely enjoy.
But the benefits of omitting cream of mushroom soup extend far beyond managing an allergy. By crafting your own sauce, you gain complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a fresher taste and avoiding any unwanted preservatives or artificial flavors. This homemade approach results in a richer, more vibrant sauce that truly complements the ground beef and noodles. As an added bonus, this stovetop-friendly recipe means you can skip the oven baking that often accompanies cream-of-soup-based casseroles. Everything cooks beautifully together in one pot, making for a quicker cleanup and a more streamlined cooking process. I particularly love preparing this dish in my trusty cast iron skillet; it provides excellent heat distribution and adds a lovely depth of flavor. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine my kitchen without it!
Of course, if you’re a fan of those delightfully crispy, browned edges on your noodles – a classic casserole hallmark – you can absolutely transfer the cooked mixture to a baking dish and finish it off in the oven for a short while. It’s entirely up to your preference! This recipe is versatile enough to suit various cooking styles while consistently delivering a comforting and hearty meal.
Key Ingredients for Your Homemade Amish Country Casserole:
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating this flavorful casserole. You’ll find that many of these are pantry staples, making this a convenient choice for any night of the week. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Egg Noodles or Rotini: While egg noodles are traditional for their comforting texture, rotini or other medium pasta shapes work wonderfully for catching all that delicious sauce.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is great for reducing fat, but an 80/20 blend offers more flavor and richness, especially since we’re not draining the grease entirely.
- Chopped Onion: A foundational aromatic that adds depth and sweetness to the beef.
- Paprika: Provides a subtle smoky flavor and beautiful color to the sauce.
- Garlic Salt: A convenient blend that seasons both with garlic and salt. Adjust to taste.
- Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a pungent kick.
- Flour: Essential for thickening our homemade sauce, creating a rich and velvety consistency.
- Beef Broth: Forms the savory liquid base of our sauce, infusing it with robust beefy flavor.
- Tomato Soup (Condensed): This isn’t cream of mushroom! Condensed tomato soup provides a sweet and tangy tomato base that thickens beautifully and adds a lovely reddish hue to the sauce.
- Milk: Adds creaminess and helps balance the acidity of the tomato. Whole milk or half-and-half will yield a richer sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: For topping, adding a salty, nutty, umami finish. Freshly grated is always best.
- Dried Parsley (Optional): A garnish for a pop of color and fresh herb note.
Mastering Your Amish Country Casserole: Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to bring this delightful and hearty casserole to your family table. The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward process, making it perfect for even novice cooks.
You’ll begin by preparing your pasta. Cook the egg noodles or rotini according to the package directions until they are al dente. It’s important not to overcook them at this stage, as they will finish cooking in the sauce. Once cooked, drain them thoroughly and set them aside. Proper draining ensures your casserole won’t become watery.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet (my cast iron skillet is perfect for this!), brown 1 pound of ground beef together with your diced onion. As the beef cooks, use a spoon or spatula to break it into small, even pieces. Unlike many ground beef recipes, do not drain the grease from the pan. This flavorful fat will serve as the base for our rich, homemade sauce, adding incredible depth and helping the flour incorporate smoothly.
Once the ground beef is thoroughly browned and the onions are softened, it’s time to build the flavor foundation. To the beef and onion mixture, add the paprika, garlic salt, pepper, and flour. Stir everything together exceptionally well, ensuring that the flour is completely incorporated into the beef mixture. Cook for another minute or two, allowing the flour to cook out a bit, which will prevent a raw flour taste in your final sauce and create a roux-like base for thickening.
Now for the luscious sauce! Over medium heat, gradually add the beef broth, milk, and condensed tomato soup to the ground beef mixture. Pour these liquids in slowly while stirring constantly to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture gently comes to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce visibly thickens to a consistency that nicely coats the back of a spoon.
Once your rich, flavorful sauce has reached the desired thickness, it’s time to combine everything. Add the pre-cooked and drained noodles directly into the skillet with the sauce. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure all the noodles are well coated with the delicious ground beef sauce. Continue to heat the casserole for a few more minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb some of the sauce and for all components to be heated through evenly.
To finish, generously sprinkle the top of the hot casserole with shredded Parmesan cheese and a touch of dried parsley for a fresh touch and visual appeal. Serve immediately and watch it disappear!
Serving Suggestions & Meal Prep Tips
This easy Amish Country Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes to round out your dinner. For a balanced meal, consider serving it alongside vibrant roasted veggies, which add a fantastic texture and nutritional boost. A fresh, crisp fruit salad can also provide a refreshing contrast to the savory casserole. Other excellent choices include a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette, steamed broccoli, or even some warm, crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that delicious sauce.
Pro Tip: This recipe makes a generous batch! With 8-10 servings, it’s perfect for feeding a larger family or for smart meal prepping. If you find yourself with extra, don’t hesitate to freeze half of it to enjoy on another busy evening!
Freezer Instructions: Prepare for Future Feasts
This Amish Country Casserole is an ideal candidate for freezing, making future weeknight dinners a breeze. To freeze, simply prepare the casserole as directed in the recipe instructions. Once cooked, transfer the desired portion into a freezer-safe pan or container and cover it tightly with foil or an airtight lid. This helps prevent freezer burn and maintains freshness. For best quality, consume within 2-3 months.
To reheat your frozen casserole, first allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for approximately 24 hours. Once thawed, bake it uncovered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until it is heated through and bubbling. If you prefer a crispier topping, you can finish it under the broiler for a minute or two, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning.
Amish Country Casserole
Amish Country Casserole is made with ground beef, noodles, an easy homemade sauce (without cream of mushroom soup) and topped off with Parmesan cheese.
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces egg noodles or rotini pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 14.5 ounce can beef broth
- 1 10.75 ounce can condensed tomato soup
- 1 cup milk (or 1/2 & 1/2)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 cup Parmesan
Instructions
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Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
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Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown together the ground beef and onion. Do not drain the grease.
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Add the paprika, garlic salt, pepper, and flour to the ground beef. Cook and stir until all the seasonings have been incorporated.
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Over medium-high heat, add the broth, tomato soup, and milk. Cook and stir until the mixture comes to a simmer and thickens up.
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Add the cooked noodles to the sauce and heat through.
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Sprinkle the parsley and Parmesan over the top and serve.
Notes
Pin This Easy Ground Beef Casserole Recipe for Later!
Don’t forget to save this fantastic Amish Country Casserole recipe so you can easily find it whenever a craving for comforting, homemade food strikes! It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any occasion when you need a reliable and delicious meal. Pin it to your favorite dinner ideas board!
Craving more hearty ground beef recipes perfect for weeknights? Discover these other family favorites!
Shepherd’s Pie with Tater Tots
Wendy’s Copycat Chili in the Slow Cooker
Juicy Burgers, A Midwestern Loose Meat Sandwich
Hamburger Macaroni Soup
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