Grandma’s Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole

7 2 minutes read

This Grandma’s Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole is a heartwarming, easy-to-make dish that brings together the savory flavors of a classic Asian-inspired stir-fry with the comforting ease of a casserole. Featuring seasoned ground beef, tender vegetables, and the delightful crunch of chow mein noodles, it’s a family-friendly meal that’s sure to become a cherished favorite.

Grandma’s Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

Ingredient	Quantity
Ground beef	1 lb
Small onion, finely chopped	1
Garlic, minced	2 cloves
Chow mein noodles (crispy variety)	1 can (6 oz)
Water chestnuts, drained and chopped	1 can (8 oz)
Frozen peas and carrots, thawed	1 cup
Soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)	1/4 cup
Worcestershire sauce	2 tablespoons
Brown sugar	1 tablespoon
Sesame oil	1 teaspoon
Grated ginger (fresh or ground)	1 teaspoon
Salt	To taste
Pepper	To taste

For the Topping:

Ingredient	Quantity
Crushed chow mein noodles	1 cup (save some for garnish)
Melted butter	2 tablespoons

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the 1 lb ground beef until it is thoroughly browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the 1 small finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves. Continue to cook for about 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and softened.
Step 3: Mix the Sauce Add the 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon grated ginger to the skillet with the cooked beef and aromatics. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and allow the flavors to meld. Cook for another minute.
Step 4: Combine Ingredients Remove the skillet from the heat. Fold in the 1 can (6 oz) crispy chow mein noodles, 1 can (8 oz) drained and chopped water chestnuts, and 1 cup thawed frozen peas and carrots. Gently mix until all ingredients are evenly coated and distributed. Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Step 5: Prepare the Topping In a small separate bowl, mix the 1 cup crushed chow mein noodles with 2 tablespoons melted butter until the noodles are fully coated. Sprinkle this buttery noodle mixture generously over the top of the casserole, creating a crispy crust.
Step 6: Bake Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Step 7: Serve Hot Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle. Garnish with additional crushed chow mein noodles or sliced green onions if desired for extra crunch and freshness.