Confession: this beef chow mein casserole was one of my LEAST favorite dinners as a kid. Right up there with tuna casserole. And now? I totally get why my mom made it.
This old-fashioned mock chow mein casserole is made with ground beef, rice, cream of mushroom soup and a few simple pantry ingredients, then topped with those crispy chow mein noodles that every kid fights over. It’s inexpensive, filling and makes enough to feed the whole family.
As a kid, I would stare at that pan of beef, rice and soup wondering why we couldn’t just order pizza.
Funny how growing up changes things.
Somewhere along the way, I realized my mom’s casseroles weren’t punishment. 😂 They were the recipes she grew up eating—the kind of simple, budget-friendly dinners that could feed a family without a lot of fuss.
And wouldn’t you know it, now I’m the one craving mock chow mein casserole.
Mom, you win.
QUICK LOOK
- Prep: About 15 minutes
- Main Ingredients: Ground beef + rice
- Bake: 2 hours
- Best for: Family dinners + leftovers
- Don’t Skip: The crunchy chow mein noodles!
What is Mock Chow Mein?
Despite the name, mock chow mein isn’t traditional Chinese chow mein. It’s an old-fashioned American casserole made with ground beef, rice, condensed soup and soy sauce, with crispy chow mein noodles sprinkled over the top.
It’s one of those vintage recipes that showed up in family cookbooks and casserole dishes for generations and this is the version my mom made for us growing up.
Why You’ll Love This Mock Chow Mein Recipe
- Budget-friendly: Ground beef, rice and pantry staples make this an inexpensive way to feed the whole family.
- Easy to make: Brown the beef, stir everything together and let the oven do the work.
- That CRUNCH: Crispy chow mein noodles on top are easily the best part.
- Old-fashioned comfort food: It’s one of those simple family recipes that tastes exactly like childhood.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One reason recipes like this have stuck around for generations? Simple, inexpensive ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need: