Chinese Casserole

Chinese hamburger casserole was a unanimous favorite in my house growing up. Since we had a big family, my parents didn’t order takeout often, so when we heard we were having Chinese for dinner, there was serious celebrating—at least until we saw the ground beef browning on the stovetop instead of the little white boxes we knew from the movies. As it turned out, we loved it. And now, even after becoming well acquainted with classics like kung pao chicken and snow pea and beef stir-fry, I still do.

This retro-inspired Chinese casserole takes the beefy, umami-rich dish my mom used to make to a whole new level. Baked with rice and vegetables and topped with crunchy chow mein noodles, it’s a comforting, unexpected hit that might just win over your family too.

Chinese Casserole Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Onion
• Celery
• Condensed cream of mushroom soup
• Canned bean sprouts
• Reduced-sodium soy sauce
• Pepper
• Uncooked long grain rice
• Sliced water chestnuts
• Frozen peas
• Chow mein noodles

Directions

Step 1: Combine the beef, vegetables and flavorings

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and celery over medium heat, until the meat is no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles. Drain any excess greate, then stir in the soup, bean sprouts, soy sauce and pepper.

Step 2: Prepare to bake

Bring the pan to a boil, then pour the mixture into a greased 13×9-inch or 3-quart baking dish. Stir in the rice and water chestnuts.

Step 3: Bake the casserole

Cover the casserole, and bake it for 30 minutes. Uncover the dish, then stir in the peas and sprinkle on the chow mein noodles. Continue baking until the casserole is heated through, 15 to 20 minutes longer.

How to Store Chinese Hamburger Casserole

Store any leftover casserole in a good airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat it gently in the microwave, on the stovetop or in a 300° oven until it’s heated through. We don’t recommend freezing this Chinese casserole because the cream of mushroom soup can separate as it thaws.

Chinese Casserole Tips

Can I make this Chinese casserole with different meat?

Of course. This versatile casserole is terrific with flank steak or top sirloin, boneless chicken thighs or leftover rotisserie chicken. Or simply substitute ground chicken, pork or turkey for the beef to keep the texture similar to the original.

What vegetables can I add to Chinese hamburger casserole?

Adding more vegetables is an excellent way to boost the flavor and nutritional value of this recipe. Using frozen vegetables is a good option here to ensure the veggies are tender when the casserole is ready. Some ideas include broccoli, green beans, carrots and mushrooms. Or throw in a can of baby corn and bamboo shoots for more Asian flavor.

Can this Chinese casserole be made gluten-free?

It definitely can. There are currently three sources of wheat gluten in this Chinese hamburger hotdish recipe: soy sauce, cream of mushroom soup and chow mein noodles. Replace those with gluten-free options like tamari sauce, and gluten-free condensed soup and chow mein noodles.