A 5-ingredient casserole is the kind of dinner that earns a permanent place in a busy cook’s rotation, especially when you can assemble it hours ahead and simply bake when everyone is ready to eat. This Dog Days Dinner leans on a handful of familiar supermarket staples to create a hearty, bubbling bake with savory depth, tender noodles, and a generous blanket of melted cheese that browns around the edges in the most inviting way.
Serve this rich, cozy bake with something crisp and fresh to balance it, such as a simple green salad with vinaigrette, steamed green beans, or sliced tomatoes. If you want to stretch it a little further, add garlic bread or buttered toast on the side, and for drinks, iced tea or a light red wine both pair nicely with the cheesy, savory flavors.
5-Ingredient Dog Days Dinner
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
Directions
1. Heat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch or similar 2 1/2-quart casserole dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles until just tender, then drain.
3. Meanwhile, cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess fat.
4. Stir the condensed cream of mushroom soup and the undrained diced tomatoes into the beef. Fold in the cooked noodles and mix until everything is evenly coated.
5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread it into an even layer. Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbling and the cheese is fully melted with browned edges. Let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Variations & Tips
Make-ahead tip: Assemble the casserole up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. When ready to cook, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes, then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
Cheese swap: If you want a sharper, more pronounced finish, use cheddar or a cheddar-mozzarella blend instead of plain mozzarella. Monterey Jack also melts beautifully and keeps the casserole extra creamy.
Add a vegetable: Even though the spirit of this recipe is keeping things simple, a handful of sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or thawed frozen peas can be folded into the mixture without changing the method much. It is an easy way to add color and make the dish feel a little more complete.
