Here’s a hearty, family-favorite Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole 🧀🥩 — comforting, filling, and easy to make.
🥘 Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole
🥣 Ingredients (Serves 6)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or macaroni)
- 1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella blend)
- ½ cup sour cream (optional, for creamier texture)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2️⃣ Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3️⃣ Brown the beef
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook until softened (3–4 minutes).
- Stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
4️⃣ Combine
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 3–5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and mix in cooked pasta and sour cream (if using).
5️⃣ Assemble & Bake
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish.
- Top evenly with shredded cheese.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6️⃣ Rest & Serve
Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
🌟 Easy Variations
- 🥦 Add cooked broccoli or spinach for veggies
- 🌶️ Stir in diced green chilies for a Tex-Mex twist
- 🧄 Add cream cheese for extra richness
- 🥔 Swap pasta for diced cooked potatoes
💡 Make It Ahead
Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
If you’d like, I can give you a low-carb version, a Mexican-style beef casserole, or a super creamy “hamburger helper” style bake.
