Grandma’s Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole

Grandma’s Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole

Grandma’s Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole is a timeless comfort dish that brings generations together around the table. It’s a hearty, oven-baked blend of crispy chow mein noodles, savory ground beef, and a flavorful, umami-packed sauce. With Asian-inspired notes and a cozy casserole-style finish, it’s the perfect crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or friendly gatherings.

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Ingredients

For the Filling

• Ground beef – 1 lb
• Onion, finely chopped – 1 small
• Garlic, minced – 2 cloves
• Crispy chow mein noodles – 1 can (6 oz)
• Water chestnuts, chopped – 1 can (8 oz), drained
• Frozen peas and carrots – 1 cup, thawed
• Soy sauce (low-sodium) – ¼ cup
• Worcestershire sauce – 2 tablespoons
• Brown sugar – 1 tablespoon
• Sesame oil – 1 teaspoon
• Grated ginger (fresh or ground) – 1 teaspoon
• Salt and pepper – to taste

For the Topping

• Crushed chow mein noodles – 1 cup (plus extra for garnish)
• Melted butter – 2 tablespoons

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Brown the beef
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat.

3. Add aromatics
Stir in the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion turns translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Make the sauce
Add the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Stir well and cook for another minute to blend the flavors.

5. Combine everything
Fold in the crispy chow mein noodles, chopped water chestnuts, and thawed peas and carrots. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.

6. Create the topping
In a small bowl, mix the crushed chow mein noodles with melted butter until well-coated. Sprinkle this over the top of the casserole.

7. Bake
Place in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden on top and bubbly at the edges.

8. Rest & garnish
Let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra crushed noodles or sliced green onions if desired.