Description
Montana casserole combines hearty beef, savory vegetables, and creamy cheese in a comforting one-dish meal. Midwestern home cooks appreciate this rustic blend of local ingredients that satisfies hunger and warms the soul.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni or similar)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a large baking dish for the casserole.
- Heat a skillet over medium flame and thoroughly brown the ground beef with diced onions, breaking meat into small crumbles.
- Carefully drain the excess grease from the meat mixture to ensure a lighter, less fatty dish.
- Incorporate cream of mushroom soup and sour cream into the beef, creating a rich, creamy base.
- Fold in the cooked pasta, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the savory sauce.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, creating a golden, melty layer.
- Optional: Scatter breadcrumbs across the cheese for added texture and crunch.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help set the dish and enhance flavors.
Notes
- Customize protein options by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for diverse dietary needs.
- Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to boost nutritional value and create more texture in the casserole.
- Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
- Reduce sodium by selecting low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and controlling salt seasoning for heart-healthy preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 522 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg