Casseroles from the 1950s & 60s - Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe - Venture1105 (2024)

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This delicious beef noodle casserole will feed your entire family on the cheap! Get the complete recipe here.

This beef noodle casserolerecipe is honestly from the 1950s. I know, cause I got it from a book that isn’t in print anymore. You can find used copies ofthat cookbook on Amazon.com. (That is my affiliate link. I earn a portion of the sale at no extra cost to you).

2020 Update: There isn’t a publishing date anywhere inside the cookbook that I could find. I did some research and guessed it was published in the 1950s. Turns out, it was published in 1967. Fascinating! (I admit when I am wrong). I’ll be updating the text in this recipe to reflect this new knowledge.

I made 2 versions of the recipe. Here is the first version:

I didn’t exactly like how that picture turned out, so I rephotographed it. You can see the new pictures below.

Both times, I followed the recipe exactly – except for the olives. I can’t stand olives. I’m sorry, I had to omit them.

So what did I think of this recipe? Read on to learn where I found it, how I made it, and what I thought.

An Authentic Recipe from the 1960s

A little while ago, I purchased a cookbook at a garage sale. It was a gem of a find! In the 1960s, a bunch of US Military Officer wives compiled a collection of their favorite casseroles! There are over 200 of them inside and I am going to share one casserole with you each week! (You can buy used copies of the cookbook here on Amazon).

Can you tell I am excited?

This week’s recipe is insanely easy – Beef & Noodle Casserole.Let me know what you think! Did you make this for your family?

This is the finished product. Not the most photogenic casserole ever. But you can just see all the flavors that fill the plate! And you can see the fiber and veggies inside too.

Beef Noodle Casserole – from the 1960s

The entire recipe is at the bottom of this post. It’s incredibly simple and feeds 12 people! I’m not even exaggerating. Here is a picture of the recipe from the cookbook:

One of my favorite things about this cookbook are the bylines. It gave me a little peep into the social constructs of the 1960s. The women are not listed by their names, but by whom they are married to. I wish I knew who Mrs. G. C. Powell is, but I’m so glad she submitted this recipe. It’s delicious!

The First Step – Brown the Beef, Onion & Peppers

Not much different here. I’ve made quite a few recipes by browning garlic, onion, peppers and ground beef together. Simple! I personally enjoy adding garlic to this mixture, but I wanted to follow the recipe and see how it turned out. Honestly, I think it is missing the garlic.

The best non-stick skillet I have ever used is this GreenPan ceramic skillet. It’s super easy to clean!

Next Step – Mix All The Ingredients

Honestly, I did not use creamed corn. I used a can of corn kernels. This was at the request of my husband. I’ve made this one time before with creamed corn. When you mix it up with creamed corn it looks like a ton of liquid in the dish. Thankfully, the liquid does indeed cook out and it comes out tasting amazing! Just bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes! Done!

Creamed corn or corn kernels? This is up to you. I couldn’t tell much difference either way. The texture of whole kernels really is enjoyable, but the creamed corn isn’t bad either.

Final Thoughts – Is it Good?

Wow! Surprisingly, it came out alright! The liquid baked out and the flavors were subtle but very popular with my little children. Yes, it’s a bit bland….I might add more spices to it next time. But it’s a great recipe for lots of different palates.

Everyone ate it up!! It really does serve 12 people. If you have a crowd coming over for dinner, fix this dish. It doesn’t come out very pretty – the presentation is unexpected. But it is so filling and all the flavors are subtle. Feel free to add your favorite spices to the dish.

Tips to Make it Better

The flavors are so subtle, it needs something added to it. For the sake of this post (sharing an authentic recipe from the 60s) I didn’t make any changes. But I would personally add some garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and a lot more cheese.

You ready for the recipe? Here’s a printable version! Don’t forget to pin this post to Pinterest and share it with your friends. Thank you!

Casseroles from the 1950s & 60s - Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe - Venture1105 (10)

Yield: 12 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

A large, easy casserole that will feed the entire family. It's from a cookbook that was published in the 1950s.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces noodles
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped fine
  • 1 medium green pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 8oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 pound cheddar cheese, chopped fine or shredded
  • 1 8oz can creamed corn

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  2. Boil noodles, drain, set aside.
  3. Brown beef, onion and green pepper, add salt and pepper
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients
  5. Pour into 2-3 quart casserole dish
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 283Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 335mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 21g

More Casserole Recipes:

  • Enchilada Pork Casserole
  • Cheesy Chili Lime Pasta Bake
  • Upside Down Chili Pie

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Casseroles from the 1950s & 60s - Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe - Venture1105 (2024)

FAQs

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

How do you make a casserole taste better? ›

Try different herbs for added flavour: sage or lemon thyme work wonderfully well. For a meatier casserole, add chopped sausage or pancetta when cooking the chicken. Stir wholegrain mustard through the casserole at the end of cooking (to taste); this is especially good if you have sausage in the casserole.

What are the four components to a casserole? ›

There are 3 main parts that make up a casserole: the starchy base, the filling, and the sauce. The base: The starchy base is the foundation of the casserole. It isn't going to be the most flavorful part of the dish, but it is what will make the casserole filling and satisfying.

What is the oldest dish still eaten? ›

The World's 10 Oldest Dishes And Where They Are Today
  • Indian curry, circa 2200-2500 B.C. ...
  • Pancakes, circa 11650 B.C. ...
  • Linzer Torte, circa 1653. ...
  • Tamales, circa 5000 B.C. ...
  • Burgers, circa 100 century A.D. ...
  • Mesopotamian Stew, circa 2140 B.C., and bone broth, circa 400 B.C. ...
  • Rice dishes, circa 4530 B.C. ...
  • Beer, circa 3500 B.C.
Sep 2, 2023

Why were casseroles popular in the 1950s? ›

Casseroles provided affordable sustenance during the Depressions of the 1890s and 1930s and the shortage of food items during both World Wars. In the 1950s, the widespread use of oven-proof cookware and canned foods made casseroles a simple, quick and inexpensive way to feed the whole family.

Should you cook a casserole covered or uncovered? ›

Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered. If you like a crisper, browner top, be sure the casserole is uncovered for at least part of the bake time.

Is it better to bake a casserole covered or uncovered? ›

In general, you'll want to bake a casserole covered with aluminum foil for most of the cooking time. Covering the casserole helps lock in moisture and prevents it from drying out. If you don't cover the casserole or uncover it too soon, the casserole will dry out.

What is the main ingredient in a casserole? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

How to make a beef casserole tastier? ›

Browning adds flavour and it makes for a better looking final dish. Preheat the pan so it's ripping hot, then cook the beef in batches. An overcrowded pan can lead to boiling instead of browning. Let the meat sit untouched for 2-3 minutes on the first side, then a minute or so on the others.

Why does my beef casserole taste bitter? ›

it is mostly the alcohol making it bitter. Add sugar and/or ketchup to the stew to reduce the bitterness. Butter and salt also help to reduce the bitter taste. Perhaps the beef fat has been cooked too hot and too long.

What gives beef stew more flavor? ›

Add spices such as turmeric, coriander and cumin at the early stage of cooking, when you are frying onions and garlic, to enhance the taste of the beef stew. Fresh herbs like coriander and bay leaves also contribute a distinct flavour without making the dish too spicy for the younger members of the family.

What liquid to use in casserole? ›

Stir in the liquid ingredients, such as stock, wine and canned tomatoes, and herbs or spices, if desired. Cover tightly and bake in the oven according to your recipe.

What ingredient is used as an extender in a casserole? ›

The extender/starch, a food ingredient that helps thicken a dish. – Dry bread crumbs; cooked, diced potatoes; pasta, rice, grits, or barley; cooked, mashed dry beans.

What holds a casserole together? ›

A perfect casserole needs one or more binders: cheese, eggs, condensed soup, Greek yogurt or noodles, for example.

Who invented the first casserole? ›

And a piece by Langdon Reid in a Staunton, Virginia, newspaper says: “History tells us that a French Canadian immigrant Elmire Jolicour is credited with inventing the casserole, this wonderful dish of culinary breakthrough, in Berlin, New Hampshire, in 1866.”

Who invented the casserole? ›

The modern-day casserole has long been rumored to have been invented in 1866 by a French-Canadian immigrant named Elmire Jolicoeur.

Why is John Wayne casserole called that? ›

That's right, the iconic John Wayne Casserole is named after none other than the actor himself. Typically, you'll find that most recipes call for refrigerated biscuits or Bisquick, onions, red bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, sour cream, mayonnaise, ground beef, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and Cheddar cheese.

What do Italians call casserole? ›

casseruola. an earthenware casserole. the food cooked in a casserole. (cibo cotto in casseruola)

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