Hamburger Casserole

Heather Mouzon

This recipe began with my great-grandmother. When she passed away, this recipe, as well as all her others, were given to my grandmother. My mother obtained it from her because this is the only meal that the whole family loves and enjoys, which is quite rare. My mother rarely cooks because she keeps herself constantly busy with work and errands. However, she occasionally makes hamburger casserole depending on how much I beg and plead for my favorite meal.

The first time I had hamburger casserole was on my birthday. I was turning ten, and it was at that point in my life that I wanted a home-cooked meal. My family always goes out to eat, and I felt I was being deprived of my childhood by not having a meal at home. I'm picky about what I eat, and the ingredients found in hamburger casserole are basic and delicious.

That birthday dinner became a tradition. Every year on my birthday, I walk in my house and smell my favorite meal in the oven. Sometimes I get lucky when I come home from college and mom decides to cook it for me.

One of these days, I'm going to learn how to cook hamburger casserole on my own, so that I don't have to count on my mom for the hamburger pleasure!