Creamy Ground Beef Ritz Cracker Casserole
This creamy ground beef Ritz cracker casserole is an easy, comforting, and budget-friendly dinner recipe that the whole family will enjoy. Made with seasoned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, buttery Ritz crackers, and melted butter, this simple oven-baked casserole delivers a rich, savory filling with a golden, crunchy topping.
Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or family dinners, this easy ground beef casserole recipe uses everyday pantry ingredients and comes together with very little prep. It is a hearty, satisfying meal that can feed a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Casserole
- Easy weeknight dinner: Simple preparation and quick oven baking.
- Budget-friendly recipe: Uses affordable, everyday ingredients.
- Creamy and comforting: Cream of mushroom soup creates a rich, smooth sauce.
- Golden crunchy topping: Buttery Ritz crackers add the perfect crispy finish.
- Family-friendly meal: Great for serving up to six people.
- Make-ahead friendly: Assemble it ahead of time for an even easier dinner.
Ingredients for Ground Beef Ritz Cracker Casserole
- 1½ pounds ground beef, preferably 80–90% lean
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, 10.5 ounces each
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers, lightly crushed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
How to Make Creamy Ground Beef Casserole
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt and black pepper, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Continue until the beef is fully browned.
Drain any excess grease, then spread the cooked ground beef evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Spoon the cream of mushroom soup over the warm ground beef. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to spread it evenly across the entire dish. Do not add milk or water, as the soup will loosen and become creamy while baking.
Place the Ritz crackers in a large bowl or zip-top bag and lightly crush them. Keep some larger pieces for extra crunch.
Pour the melted butter over the crushed crackers and toss until they are evenly coated.
Sprinkle the buttery Ritz cracker mixture evenly over the cream of mushroom soup layer.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the cracker topping is golden brown and crisp.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This helps the creamy filling settle and makes the casserole easier to scoop.
Benefits of This Easy Ground Beef Dinner
This ground beef casserole with cream of mushroom soup is a practical recipe for busy families because it uses simple ingredients, requires minimal preparation, and bakes in one dish. Ground beef provides protein and makes the meal filling, while the creamy mushroom sauce and buttery cracker topping create a comforting homemade flavor.
It is also a versatile recipe that can be served with affordable side dishes such as rice, mashed potatoes, egg noodles, green beans, peas, corn, or a fresh green salad.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Ritz cracker ground beef casserole hot with mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, steamed vegetables, roasted carrots, sweet corn, or a crisp garden salad. Warm dinner rolls or garlic bread are also great for soaking up the creamy sauce.
Variations and Tips
For extra flavor, cook a finely diced onion with the ground beef. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning.
For a cheesy ground beef casserole, sprinkle shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack cheese between the ground beef and mushroom soup layers.
To make the recipe more filling, add cooked rice or egg noodles underneath the ground beef layer. This creates a larger casserole and makes it ideal for feeding a crowd.
You can assemble the casserole up to the mushroom soup layer, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Add the buttery Ritz cracker topping just before baking so it stays crisp. If baking from the refrigerator, add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the cooking time.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or warm the casserole in a 325°F oven until heated through.
