Hearty Ground Beef Casserole Recipe: A Comforting Family Favorite

Comfort meets convenience in this hearty ground beef casserole that promises to satisfy your deepest dinner cravings.

My grandma first shared her secret recipe decades ago, and I’ve been perfecting it ever since.

Layers of savory meat, tender vegetables, and creamy sauce create a symphony of flavors you’ll absolutely love.

Weeknight dinners can be both delicious and stress-free with this simple yet impressive dish.

Each bite brings warmth and nostalgia, reminding you of home-cooked meals that bring people together.

Quick to assemble and even faster to devour, this casserole becomes an instant family favorite.

Prepare to experience a meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

Ground Beef Casserole Makes Dinner Straightforward

• Quick Family Feast: Perfect weeknight dinner that comes together in under 45 minutes, making busy families' meal planning stress-free.
• Budget-Friendly Comfort: Uses affordable ingredients like ground beef and pasta, delivering delicious results without breaking the bank.
• Kid-Approved Meal: Cheesy, tomato-based casserole with simple flavors that children love, ensuring everyone at the table enjoys their dinner.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Requires basic cooking skills with straightforward steps, allowing even novice cooks to create a satisfying homemade meal effortlessly.

Ground Beef Casserole Prep Set

• Ground Beef: Rich and hearty base that provides substantial protein for the casserole.
• Onion, Garlic: Add depth of flavor and aromatic base to enhance the meat's taste.

• Diced Tomatoes: Provide moisture and tangy sweetness to the casserole's overall flavor profile.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates a smooth, rich sauce that helps bind ingredients together.

• Pasta (Elbow Macaroni): Offers comforting texture and helps make the dish more filling.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds creamy, sharp flavor and creates a golden, melted topping.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing the dish's natural flavors.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings a classic herb blend that complements the beef and tomato components.

Preparing Ground Beef Casserole At Home

Step 1: Warming Up the Cooking Space

Turn on the oven and set the temperature to 350°F so it’s ready for baking.

Grab a casserole dish and lightly coat it with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sizzle the Beef

Place a large skillet on the stovetop and start cooking the ground beef over medium heat.

Break up the meat into small pieces as it cooks.

Once the beef turns brown, carefully drain away any excess fat using a colander.

Step 3: Add Flavor Boosters

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté these ingredients until they become soft and release their delicious aroma.

Step 4: Create a Tasty Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning

Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to blend all the flavors together.

Step 5: Combine Beef and Pasta

Gently fold the cooked pasta into the beef mixture, ensuring everything is well combined and evenly distributed.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared casserole dish.

Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top to create a golden, melty surface.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole dish into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden blanket.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.

Scoop onto plates and enjoy the comforting, cheesy goodness of this hearty beef casserole.

Ground Beef Casserole – Quick Tips For Even Layers

• Remove all excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy, heavy casserole and ensure a lighter, more appetizing dish.
• Experiment with different cheese types like mozzarella, pepper jack, or a blend to add unique flavor profiles and personalize the recipe.
• Don't be shy with seasonings – taste and adjust Italian herbs, salt, and pepper to enhance the overall depth of flavor in the casserole.
• Prepare the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for a convenient meal that saves time during busy evenings.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly version of this comforting dish.

How to Store and Reheat Ground Beef Casserole Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, where it will maintain quality for up to 3 months.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover casserole with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Place individual portions in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until steaming hot.

Classic Ground Beef Casserole Companions

• Enhance Hearty Beef Pasta Flavor: Pair with robust red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot that complement the rich meat and tomato sauce.
• Elevate Comfort Dining: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the casserole's creamy, warm texture.
• Create Refreshing Contrast: Add garlic bread with a light herb butter to provide a crunchy side that absorbs the savory beef sauce.
• Complete Mediterranean Experience: Introduce a chilled Italian-style pinot grigio for those preferring white wine, which cuts through the dish's hearty elements.

Ground Beef Casserole with Crowd-Pleasing Twists

• Vegetarian Swap: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a protein-packed meatless option that maintains the dish's hearty texture.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the savory flavors intact.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Spicy Mexican Style: Add diced green chilies, swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, and top with pepper jack cheese to create a zesty southwestern variation.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works well in this casserole and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The combination of pasta, beef, and cheese makes this a crowd-pleaser for children and adults alike, with mild seasonings that aren’t too spicy.

• How can I make this dish more nutritious?

Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini to the beef mixture to boost the nutritional value and add more color and flavor.

• Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole in advance and refrigerate it. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty ground beef casserole brings comfort straight from midwestern kitchens to dinner tables nationwide. Cheesy layers and savory ingredients create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Sauce and Cheese Components:

• 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces / 227 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups (480 ml) cooked pasta (elbow macaroni or similar)

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to create a warm culinary environment at 350°F (175°C), preparing for a hearty ground beef casserole.
2. In a spacious skillet, transform the raw ground beef into a golden-brown delight over medium heat, carefully eliminating any excess fat through draining.
3. Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence.
4. Incorporate diced tomatoes, rich tomato sauce, and a harmonious blend of seasonings – salt, pepper, and Italian herbs – letting the mixture simmer and meld flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
5. Gently fold cooked pasta into the robust beef mixture, ensuring each pasta strand is lovingly coated with the savory sauce.
6. Transfer the complete mixture into a generously greased casserole dish, creating a rustic canvas for the final touch of culinary artistry.
7. Lavishly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, creating a golden, melty blanket of deliciousness.
8. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden masterpiece.
9. Remove from the oven and let it rest briefly before serving this comforting meal piping hot to eager diners.

Notes

• Select lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the casserole.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles.
• Prepare extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to boost nutritional value and add more texture to the dish.
• Make this recipe gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with gluten-free pasta alternatives like quinoa or chickpea pasta.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 80mg