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Simple Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

Simple Ground Beef Casserole Recipe


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4.5 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty Simple Ground Beef Casserole delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending savory beef with creamy layers of cheese and tender pasta. Home cooks savor this classic one-dish meal that promises delicious satisfaction in every warm, satisfying bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)

Carbohydrates:

  • 2 cups pasta (elbow or penne)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F and prepare a casserole dish with cooking spray.
  2. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic in olive oil until translucent and fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking meat into small crumbles and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains.
  5. Drain excess fat from the meat mixture to reduce greasiness.
  6. Pour tomato sauce into the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, stirring to combine thoroughly.
  7. Allow beef mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, developing rich flavor profiles.
  8. Create layered casserole by spreading half the pasta across the bottom of the greased baking dish.
  9. Evenly distribute the seasoned beef mixture over the pasta layer.
  10. Sprinkle shredded cheese generously across the top, ensuring complete coverage.
  11. Transfer casserole to preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
  12. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
  13. Serve hot, offering a comforting and satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Drain pasta thoroughly to prevent watery casserole texture and ensure ingredients bind well.
  • Select lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, healthier dish.
  • Experiment with different cheese blends like mozzarella and cheddar for enhanced flavor complexity.
  • Consider gluten-free pasta options to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg