Enjoy more of my favorite ground beef dinner recipes like this easy Taco Casserole recipe, Rigatoni Pasta Bake, Three Cheese Gnocchi Bake and Lasagna Roll Ups. Ground Beef Casserole is the ultimate family friendly weeknight dinner recipe! Noodles, beefy tomato sauce and a medley of mouthwatering seasonings are all nestled together beneath a generous layer of gooey melted cheese. If you’ve got ground beef but you’re looking for something a little different than my Easy Lasagna recipe, this is the one. The best part of this recipe (besides how delicious it is) is that it’s easy, freezer friendly and great for making ahead of time! I’m all about making easy dinners even easier, and that’s exactly what this ground beef casserole recipe does.
Why we love this Ground Beef Casserole:
Kid Friendly: Kids gobble up this recipe! It’s picky eater approved and it’s great for making sure they actually get some protein on their plates. Freezer Friendly: Scroll to the recipe card to see how easy it is to freeze this casserole. It’s wonderful for making ahead of time and grabbing when you need a quick dinner. Budget Friendly: This is a great recipe for clearing out your fridge/pantry. You may just have everything you need already on hand!
Ground Beef Casserole Ingredients Needed:
Ground Beef: You can swap this with any ground meat you prefer. Chicken, turkey, pork, or even Italian sausage for more flavor. Vegetables: I use a simple combo of onions and red peppers. However, you can really get creative here! Mushrooms, carrots, corn, peas, spinach, kale… The list goes on. If you’ve got some produce at the end of its shelf life in your kitchen, toss it in! Seasonings: A bold medley of salt, paprika, ground mustard, oregano and a pinch of salt give this recipe the best flavor. However, these seasonings are easy to change up! Sprinkle in some Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, or whatever else you prefer to make it your own. Pasta: You can really use any kind you like best — I use dried egg noodles. Cream Cheese: Sour cream also works well if that’s what you have on hand. Garlic: Feel free to measure with your heart, garlic lovers! Tomato Sauce: This is the base of the pasta sauce. Choose a brand of marinara sauce that you enjoy! Cream: Heavy cream and half and half both work just fine, though heavy cream will give a richer flavor.
How to make Ground Beef Casserole:
Here’s a quick look at how to make this beefy casserole! Scroll down to the recipe card to see more detailed ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions.
Cook the ground beef, onions, and bell peppers. Mix in the garlic, oregano, paprika, salt and ground mustard.
Add the tomato sauce and water. Cook the pasta until al dente and reserve a cup of pasta water.
Melt the cream cheese and cream together. Add the pasta water and pasta, toss to coat.
Spread the pasta in the baking dish. Top with the meat sauce. Add the shredded cheese in a single layer all over the casserole. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Variations and Substitutions
Switch the meat: You can easily swap the ground beef with any other ground meat you like best. Change the flavor profile: You can use taco seasoning and add some black beans to make this more southwest flavored. Or, sprinkle in some Italian seasoning for an Italian flair. Add more veggies: Make this casserole a bit more nutritious by tossing in whatever veggies you like best. Mushrooms would work fabulously!
How to store Ground Beef Casserole
Let your leftovers cool to room temperature prior to storing in an airtight container in the fridge. Properly stored, everything will stay fresh in the fridge for about 4 days. I recommend adding a splash of broth or water and reheating in the microwave on high in 45 second intervals until warmed through.
Can I freeze ground beef casserole?
Yes! You can freeze before or after baking. To freeze before baking, prepare up to the point of adding the cheese. Let it cool completely before wrapping tightly with plastic wrap. Freeze up to 4 months. When it comes time to bake, I recommend defrosting it first overnight in the refrigerator so it bakes evenly. If you’re freezing a baked casserole, let it first fully cool to room temperature. Cover it tightly and freeze for 3-4 months. Let it defrost overnight before reheating. Don’t forget to date and label!
Serving suggestions:
There are so many side dishes that plate perfectly with ground beef casserole! Here are just a few of my favorites: This ensures that it heats evenly and the outside of the casserole isn’t overcooked by the time the inside is war,
Cheesy Baked Asparagus — cheesy vegetables are the best kind! Air Fryer Broccoli Roasted Green Beans — since we’ve got the oven on anyway 😉
More casserole recipes you’ll love!
Keep your freezer stocked with more of my best casserole recipes:
Stuffed Pepper Casserole — this one comes together so quickly! Chicken Enchilada Casserole Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole — comfort food to the max! Cheeseburger Casserole — if you’ve got extra ground beef 😊
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