Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain the excess fat.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
Stir in the sliced celery and shredded carrots. Cook for another 5 minutes until the veggies are tender-crisp.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, soy sauce, water, and black pepper.
Add the cooked ground beef mixture and cooked chow mein noodles to the bowl. Mix until everything is well-coated.
Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the bake cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious Ground Beef Chow Mein Bake!
Variations & Tips
For a lighter version, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef. If you have picky eaters, feel free to omit the celery and carrots, or replace them with veggies your family loves, like bell peppers or peas. For a little extra zing, try adding a teaspoon of grated ginger or a splash of sesame oil to the mixture. And if you want a cheesy twist, mix in some mozzarella for a gooey, melty topping!
