Mary Louise Jones Casserole
A hearty casserole layered with flavorful hamburger, cheeses, and vegetables, perfect for comforting family dinners and adaptable with optional add-ins like refried beans.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds hamburger
- 1/4 cup oleo (may be omitted) ⓘ
- 1/4 cup onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 bell pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 can tomato soup ⓘ
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 1 can nacho cheese soup ⓘ
- 1 cup milk ⓘ
- 3 cups egg noodles
- 1 cup corn ⓘ
- 1 can chopped olives ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 medium onion chopped ⓘ
Instructions
- In the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish, place six tortillas.
- In a large skillet, cook 2 pounds of hamburger until browned; drain excess fat.
- Add chopped onion, bell pepper, tomato soup, cream of mushroom soup, nacho cheese soup, milk, chopped olives, and salt and pepper to the skillet.
- Combine well and heat through.
- Pour a layer of the mixture over the tortillas in the casserole dish.
- Sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese.
- Repeat layering with remaining tortillas and mixture, ending with cheese on top.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, you can substitute ground turkey for hamburger and use low-fat soups. If you don't have nacho cheese soup, try using a combination of cheddar cheese and a bit of salsa for a similar flavor. Consider adding some steamed broccoli or spinach for extra nutrition and color.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this casserole with a simple side salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Cheesy Chicken Primavera or other American recipes. For an extra touch, you can top it with fresh cilantro or sliced avocado before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 20-25 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick meal.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mary Louise Jones Casserole contains roughly 585 calories, with 19g protein, 63g carbohydrates, and 30g fat. It is an excellent source of calcium (40% of the Daily Value), protein (38% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (31% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1667mg per serving (72% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta instead of egg noodles?
Yes, you can substitute egg noodles with any pasta you prefer, such as penne or rotini. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time based on the pasta you choose, as different shapes may require varying cook times.
Is it necessary to use all three types of soup?
While the combination of tomato, cream of mushroom, and nacho cheese soups creates a rich flavor, you can simplify by using just one or two of them if preferred. For instance, using only tomato and cream of mushroom still yields a tasty dish.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole up to the baking step, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time when you're ready to cook it the next day.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).