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.
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) | 1/4 cup |
| Worcestershire sauce | 2 tablespoons |
| Brown sugar | 1 tablespoon |
| Sesame oil | 1 teaspoon |
| Grated ginger (fresh/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 |
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and 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 nicely browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add aromatics
Stir in the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent—about 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Make the sauce
Pour in the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Mix thoroughly and let it cook for another minute to marry the flavors.
5. Combine everything
Fold in the crispy chow mein noodles, chopped water chestnuts, and thawed peas and carrots. Spread this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
6. Create the topping
In a small bowl, toss the crushed chow mein noodles with melted butter until fully coated. Scatter this mixture generously over the casserole.
7. Bake
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until it’s golden on top and bubbly around the edges.
8. Rest & garnish
Let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra crushed noodles or sliced green onions if you’re feeling fancy.