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A close-up shot of the baked ground beef casserole, showing the melted golden-brown cheese topping and pasta.

Ground Beef Casserole: The Ultimate Cheesy Comfort Meal

This easy and cheesy Ground Beef Casserole is the ultimate weeknight dinner! Made with savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce, it's a family-friendly meal that's ready in under an hour.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef 85/15 or 90/10
  • 8 oz egg noodles or other short pasta
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 15 oz tomato sauce 1 can
  • 15 oz diced tomatoes 1 can, undrained
  • 4 oz cream cheese cubed
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch baking dish
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Large pot

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
  4. Add chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  5. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese and sour cream, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  7. Gently fold in the cooked egg noodles until fully combined.
  8. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Tip 1: For the best results, use freshly shredded cheese. It melts much better than pre-shredded varieties.
Tip 2: Don't overcook the pasta initially, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Cooking it al dente will prevent a mushy casserole.
Tip 3: Feel free to add vegetables like sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers along with the onions for extra nutrition and flavor.