Mrs. King's Budget Hamburger Casserole

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Meals like Mrs. King's Budget Hamburger Casserole are a mainstay in Amish kitchens.  Why?  Because they are hearty, versatile "pile meals".   There are many variations of hamburger casseroles and this is one that is your basic casserole and I appreciate so much reader Karen testing out this recipe for us.  I've had this one forever. It was given to me by an Amish woman in Lancaster County, PA.     As an aside, the last names King and Fisher are very, very common in Lancaster County Amish communities, but you hardly ever run into those names elsewhere. (Here's a fascinating look at Amish surnames and their German meanings)

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• 🍲 Budget Hamburger Casserole Ingredients
• 📋 Instructions
• 📋 More Amish Economy Casseroles
• 🖨️ Full Recipe

Karen said that if she made the casserole again she'd add  some Worcestershire sauce for flavor and substitute the potatoes for rice.  I'm probably with her on the rice vs. potatoes. There are versions of this casserole that do just, that sub rice for potatoes.  

This casserole is sort of your "base" model, very no-frills.  But you can make it and then experiment by adding other flavors to it.  I'm thinking that if I made it I'd add some barbecue sauce over the layer of hamburger.  So enjoy this casserole and don't be afraid to add some of your own zing to it. If you do make this and add some of your own flavors or spices to it, let me know how it turns out!  By the way, I think I'd add a cup or two of shredded cheese and, oh, yes, some mushrooms. Definitely mushrooms. But, again, this casserole is sort of your "base model" and you can built out from there.

I feel like I say this a lot lately, but casseroles like these are so common among the Amish. I went back and made sure that this is different than ones I have posted in the past and, it is, slightly. It's not smothered in cheese, for instance. But, yeah, almost every Amish kitchen has a casserole like this in the oven at one time or another.

So, here is the recipe and some photos!

🍲 Budget Hamburger Casserole Ingredients

• 2 pounds hamburger (uncooked)
• 2 cups sliced raw potatoes
• 2 cups chopped celery
• ½ cup diced onions
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup diced green pepper
• 2 cups canned tomatoes
• 1 onion, thinly sliced (optional)

📋 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease a casserole dish Sprinkle each layer with salt and pepper before
3. adding the next layer. Place potatoes in the bottom of the casserole dish.
4. Add layer of celery. Add layer of hamburger Add the layer of onions. Add the
5. green pepper. Pour the tomatoes over the mixture. Lay onion slices on top,
6. Bake for 1 hour, covering with foil after about a half hour.

📋 More Amish Economy Casseroles

Three-Layer Beef Casserole - Super!

Dairy Casserole - Tasty and comforting.

Six-Ingredient Amish Country Casserole - so hearty!

Farmer's Casserole - Amazing supper!

🖨️ Full Recipe