This oven baked 4-ingredient beef bradford is the kind of sturdy, old-fashioned supper that earns its place in a family recipe box. With just a handful of affordable ingredients, it bakes into a rich, cheesy beef casserole with crisp edges and plenty of comfort in every scoop. It is especially nice for busy evenings when you want something filling without a long grocery list, and it has that dependable church-supper feel that makes simple food taste extra special.
Serve this hearty bake with buttered green beans, a crisp lettuce salad, or simple canned peaches for a classic Midwestern supper plate. Warm rolls or thick slices of bread are wonderful for rounding it out, and if you are feeding hungry folks after a long day, a side of roasted carrots or corn makes it stretch beautifully.
Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Beef Bradford
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or similar casserole dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Stir the condensed tomato soup, cooked egg noodles, and 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese into the browned beef until everything is well combined.
4. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
5. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted with lightly golden edges. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters: If your family prefers a smoother texture, use finely shredded cheddar so it melts quickly and evenly through the noodles. You can also keep the top lightly cheesy instead of heavily covered if that goes over better at your table.
Make it stretch: This is a wonderful recipe for using up extra noodles. If you want a little more volume, add up to 1 extra cup of cooked noodles and a spoonful or two of water to loosen the mixture before baking.
Add a little seasoning: Even though the original charm is in its simplicity, a pinch of black pepper, a little onion powder, or a spoonful of sautéed onion can add extra flavor without changing the spirit of the dish.
Storage tip: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in the oven or in the microwave with a small spoonful of water to keep the noodles from drying out.
