Grandma's Old-fashioned 5-Ingredient Casserole Recipe: Fits the Budget, Fills the Tummies Casseroles Budget-friendly Dinner

I loved reading the story about the grandma that made this recipe to feed her eight kids on the farm. Money was tight and this casserole recipe was not only inexpensive, but really easy to prepare in minutes. For all of us raised in big families (I'm the eighth of nine kids) this is a bit of a throwback to those days sitting with my brothers and sisters around the table while someone who loved us cooked a meal for us all to share.

This grandma-approved budget casserole recipe has simple, pantry ingredients: egg noodles, a can of condensed tomato soup, onion, grated cheese, water and bacon. Simple, hearty and flavorful ingredients. The ingredients bake up and make a budget recipe the whole family will enjoy – and not even know it was easy on the wallet! And it's on the table in 30 minutes.

Why not make this delicious old-fashioned dish for dinner tonight? Add a green salad or vegetable and your meal is complete!

Cuisine: American 
Prep Time: 15 minutes 
Cook Time: 15 minutes 
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 to 8

Ingredients

• 1 bag (16 ounces) egg noodles or other pasta (like penne) 
• 1 package (12 ounces) bacon
• 1 can (10 ounces) condensed tomato soup
• 6 ounces grated cheese 
• 1 onion, chopped 

Helpful Products

• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• Casserole Dish
• Pasta Pot
• Oven-safe Pans

Recipe Notes

• Use whatever cheese you like for this casserole. Budget cheese would be cheddar, Monterey Jack or mozzarella, but gruyere, Swiss, provolone or a combination would work, too. 

Here's how to make it: 

1. Cook the noodles in boiling water until soft, but about 1 minute less than recommended time. Remove, drain and place into casserole dish.
2. In a skillet, cook the bacon to your desired crispness. Remove to paper towels and when cool break or chop into small pieces.
3. If you are including onion, add it to the bacon drippings and cook on medium heat until soft.
4. In the same pan (with the bacon grease and/or onions) add the can of soup and water per soup directions and stir. Remove from the heat.
    
5. Layer bacon, onion and tomato soup on top of the pasta.
6. Top with grated cheese.
7. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted on top.

Recipe cooking times and servings are approximate. Need to convert cooking and baking measurements? Here are some kitchen conversion charts. Here's how to submit your recipes to 30Seconds.

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