Grandma’s Ground Beef Chow Mein Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 cup carrots, chopped
• 2 cups cooked chow mein noodles (or you can use egg noodles)
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10.5 oz) can beef broth
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking the beef)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brown the ground beef:
   
   • In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon until fully browned.
   • Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
4. Combine the casserole ingredients:
   
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned beef mixture, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cream of mushroom soup, and beef broth. Stir everything together.
   • Add the cooked chow mein noodles and mix well.
6. Transfer to a casserole dish:
   
   • Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Pour the beef and noodle mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly.
8. Bake the casserole:
   
   • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
10. Finish and serve:
    
    • After baking, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the casserole to set and get a little crispy on top.
12. Enjoy:
    
    • Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this comforting and filling casserole with a side salad or crusty bread!