Description
John Wayne Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish featuring ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, tomato sauce, mixed vegetables, and egg noodles baked together with a golden cheese topping. This easy, flavorful casserole is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or making ahead, offering a warm, satisfying meal that feeds a crowd and tastes even better as leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 3 cups cooked egg noodles
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar or preferred variety)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside. While noodles cook, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up until fully cooked.
- Mix the Base: Add the cream of mushroom soup, canned tomato sauce, frozen mixed vegetables, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the browned beef. Stir well to combine and let simmer for a few minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine With Noodles: Fold the cooked egg noodles into the beef and vegetable mixture until everything is evenly mixed to ensure balanced flavor and texture in every bite.
- Transfer and Top: Pour the casserole mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top to form a golden crust when baked.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Don’t overcook noodles; slightly undercook them to prevent mushiness after baking.
- Fresh vegetables can substitute frozen for added crispness and flavor.
- Generously layer cheese to keep the casserole moist during baking and add richness.
- Let the casserole rest 5-10 minutes after baking to set it for easier serving.
- Adjust seasonings to taste before baking; a little extra salt or pepper can enhance the flavors greatly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: John Wayne Casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, baked casserole, easy dinner