Description
Classic ground beef casserole brings hearty comfort to midwestern dinner tables. Rich layers of seasoned meat, tender pasta, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal families will crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Pasta and Sauce Components:
- 2 cups pasta (elbow macaroni or penne)
- 1 15-ounce (425 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1 14.5-ounce (411 grams) can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Optional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Cooking Ingredient:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- Prepare pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté chopped onions until translucent and softened.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and cook thoroughly, breaking meat into small crumbles until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
- Pour tomato sauce and diced tomatoes into the meat mixture, then season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Combine cooked pasta with the seasoned meat sauce in a large mixing bowl, gently folding ingredients together. Optional: Incorporate sour cream for added creaminess.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and transfer the pasta and meat mixture, spreading evenly across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the entire casserole, ensuring complete coverage. For extra texture, add breadcrumbs on top if desired.
- Place casserole in preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help set the dish and enhance flavor integration.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting spices like red pepper flakes or adding jalapeños for extra kick.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter, leaner protein options.
- Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs to make this dish celiac-friendly without compromising flavor.
- Prep ahead by assembling casserole and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 438 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg