Description
Rich layers of ground beef intertwine with hearty pasta in this supreme layered beef casserole, creating a comforting midweek meal. Cheese melts between robust ingredients, delivering a satisfying dinner experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Sauce Components:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) penne or rotini pasta
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for assembling the casserole.
- Prepare pasta according to package directions, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, sautéing onions and garlic until they become soft and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, cooking until completely browned and crumbled, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Pour tomato sauce and diced tomatoes into the beef mixture, allowing it to simmer and develop rich flavors for 5-7 minutes.
- Grease a casserole dish and create the first layer using half of the prepared pasta, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Distribute half of the seasoned beef mixture over the pasta layer, then sprinkle a generous portion of cheeses.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining pasta, beef mixture, and finish with a complete cheese topping.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Drain pasta thoroughly to prevent watery casserole texture and ensure maximum sauce absorption.
- Choose lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
- Experiment with alternative protein options like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for dietary flexibility and healthier variations.
- Grate cheese fresh for superior melting quality and richer taste compared to pre-shredded packaged cheese.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg