Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole Recipe

This simple chow mein ground beef casserole recipe is the easy weeknight dinner your family will ask for again and again. Lean ground beef, rice, veggies, and water chestnuts are baked in a creamy sauce and topped with crunchy chow mein noodles. It's one of my favorite ground beef and rice casseroles because it's hearty, kid approved, and you can assemble it hours ahead.

🥡Why This Is One of the Best Ground Beef and Rice Casseroles

What makes this one of the best ground beef and rice casseroles is how many textures and flavors you get in one dish. The beef and rice are tender and savory in a creamy sauce, the water chestnuts and celery add a little crunch, and the chow mein noodles on top finish it off. It uses everyday ingredients like frozen vegetables and cooked rice, so there's no fussy prep, and kids who usually push their veggies around the plate tend to clean it up.

Just like our Cantonese Chicken, you can also assemble it ahead of time and bake it when you're ready, which makes it the perfect choice for busy weeknights.

✅Easy Ways to Customize This Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole Recipe

One of the best things about this simple casserole is how easy it is to make your own. Swap the ground beef for lean ground turkey, or stir in leftover cooked chicken or pork. Use whatever rice you have on hand, as long as it's cooked first.

You can also replace the standard frozen mixed vegetables and water chestnuts with a frozen Asian vegetable medley, just like in our easy stovetop Chicken Lo Mein. I like to add mushrooms, baby corn, or broccoli, and nobody at my table ever notices.

If you'd rather skip the cream of celery soup, cream of mushroom or asparagus works just as well. It's a great way to use up what's in your pantry and fridge and still end up with a family-approved dinner.

🥘Just Simple Ingredients Needed

• lean ground beef: 85% lean or leaner is my pick, since it browns well without leaving too much grease
• onion: adds savory flavor to the beef (not pictured)
• cooked rice: I use white long grain rice, but any kind works. Just cook it first, and don't overcook it so it can soak up the sauce
• celery: adds a little fresh flavor and crunch
• garlic powder: or use 1 minced garlic clove instead
• cream of celery soup: I like Campbell's 98% fat free for this casserole recipe
• frozen mixed vegetables, thawed: the standard blend gives you lots of color and kid-friendly veggies
• sliced water chestnuts: for a crisp, juicy crunch in every bite
• low sodium soy sauce: adds savory flavor to the creamy sauce without making it too salty
• ground black pepper: brings out all the flavors
• extra wide chow mein noodles: the crunchy topping, added during the last 5 minutes of baking so they stay crisp

🔪How To Make This Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Combine veggies, seasonings, sauces, and pre-cooked rice.

Step 2: Add cooked beef; stir to combine.

Step 3: Spread mixture into a 13x9 or 3 quart casserole dish.

Step 4: Cover and bake; top with chow mein noodles towards the end of baking.

Hint: It's helpful to have some extra chow mein noodles on hand, especially if you have leftovers. The noodles don't keep well in the fridge, so you'll want to replace them with "fresh" ones when serving the ground beef chow mein casserole again.

🌿Healthy Ingredient Substitutions

• Brown rice or cauliflower rice: Swap the white rice for cooked brown rice for extra fiber. For a lighter, lower-carb version, replace half the rice with cauliflower rice. Squeeze out any extra moisture first so the casserole doesn't turn watery.
• Low sodium cream of celery soup: Use a can labeled "low sodium" or "reduced sodium" in place of the regular soup. It cuts the sodium without changing the taste or texture too much, and it pairs well with the low sodium soy sauce.
• Extra veggies: Add a bag of frozen broccoli florets, or use two bags of frozen Asian vegetable medley instead of one bag of mixed vegetables and the water chestnuts. It adds fiber and nutrients without changing the flavor much.

📖Easy Casserole Recipe Variations

• Chicken or pork chow mein casserole: Use cooked shredded chicken or ground pork in place of the beef. It's a great way to use up leftovers, and you can skip the browning step if the meat is already cooked.
• Extra flavor kick: Stir in 1 teaspoon of ground ginger and a splash of sriracha or chili garlic sauce for a little heat. Start small so the kids can still enjoy it, and let adults add more hot sauce at the table.
• Cheesy chow mein casserole: Sprinkle about 1 cup of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack over the top when you uncover it, then add the chow mein noodles for the last 5 minutes. It's a good option for cheese lovers and picky eaters.

For another simple ground beef casserole recipe that the whole family will love, try our Big Mac Casserole.

🍽Essential Equipment Needed

• chef's knife & cutting board
• medium saucepan with lid (for rice)
• large saucepan with lid (for beef)
• meat chopper (optional, but handy)
• large mixing bowl
• mixing/stirring spoon
• 13×9 glass baking dish (lightly greased) or 3 quart casserole dish

🍶Storing This Ground Beef And Rice Casserole

Remove chow mein noodles on top before storing any leftovers (they will get soggy).

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within five days.

Once cooled, you may also freeze leftovers in freezer-safe packaging for up to 3 months.

Reheating instructions:

• Place in a covered casserole dish. Bake in 325° oven for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
• If cooking frozen leftovers, thaw overnight in fridge and then follow the above.

❓FAQ

🥄More Kid Approved Casseroles

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these, or head over to our Casseroles page:

🍴What To Serve With Ground Beef And Rice Casseroles

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole Recipe:

📋Recipe With Step-By-Step Instructions

Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole Recipe

Kitchen Ready Betty

This simple ground beef chow mein casserole recipe features lean beef, tender rice, and mixed vegetables baked in a savory cream sauce. Finished with a layer of crunchy chow mein noodles, it's a hearty, kid-approved weeknight dinner that you can easily assemble ahead of time.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Rest Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Dishes

Cuisine American, Asian

Servings 6

Calories 346 kcal

Equipment

• medium saucepan
• large saucepan with lid
• meat chopper
• 13x9 OR 3-quart casserole dish (lightly greased)

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Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup chopped onions
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder may substitute 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 can cream of celery soup
• 10 ounce package frozen mixed vegetables thawed
• 8 ounce can sliced water chestnuts drained
• 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups cooked rice just slightly undercooked; the rice will continue to cook in the casserole
• 3 ounces extra wide chow mein noodles

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Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large saucepan, cook ground beef with onions and garlic powder over medium heat until beef is browned; drain excess grease. Then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Add the celery, soup, thawed vegetables and drained water chestnuts; mix.
• Next, add the soy sauce, ground pepper and cooked rice; stir to combine.
• Transfer to a lightly greased 13x9 glass baking dish or a 3 quart casserole.
• Cover and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
• Remove cover and top with chow mein noodles. Bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes. Then let stand 5 minutes and enjoy!

Notes

It's helpful to have some extra chow mein noodles on hand, especially if you have leftovers. The noodles don't keep well in the fridge, so you'll want to replace them with "fresh" ones when serving the ground beef chow mein casserole again.

Don't overcook the rice before adding it to this casserole. Slightly firm rice soaks up more of the creamy sauce as it bakes, and it won't turn mushy.

Remove chow mein noodles on top before storing any leftovers (they will get soggy). Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within five days. Once cooled, you may also freeze leftovers in freezer-safe packaging for up to 3 months.

See above post for more tips, including reheating instructions.

Nutrition

Calories: 346kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 23gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 666mgPotassium: 607mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2619IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 4mg

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_{Please note that nutritional information is provided by a third party service and is intended for guidance purposes only. KitchenReadyBetty.com makes no claims to its accuracy.}