Have you ever needed a dinner that's both comforting and super easy to throw together? This ground beef casserole recipe has been my go-to for years! It's one of those meals that makes me feel like a kitchen superhero even when I'm running on empty. The combination of savory beef, creamy cheese, and tender noodles creates something magical that my daughter Emily requests at least once a week.
I still remember the first time I made this casserole. Emily was having a rough day at school, and I wanted to make something that would feel like a warm hug on a plate. This casserole did exactly that! Now it's our official "bad day buster" meal. If you're looking for another hearty beef dish, my Healthy Beef Stroganoff is another family favorite that's just as comforting but with a lighter touch.
Why You Will Like This Ground Beef Casserole
- Ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish
- Uses simple pantry ingredients you probably already have
- Perfect for busy weeknights when you're short on time
- Freezes beautifully for meal prep
- Creamy, cheesy comfort food that kids and adults both love
- Easily customizable with your favorite add-ins
Ingredients For This Beef Casserole Recipe
- 2 cans (15 oz. each) tomato sauce
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 1 package (8 oz.) egg noodles
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 package (3 oz.) cream cheese
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, or more to taste (I always add more!)
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
Instructions For Making This Ground Beef Casserole
Preparing The Meat Sauce
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and crumbly, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in garlic salt, salt, and tomato sauce. Mix until well combined, then simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the skillet from heat and cover.
- While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
Cooking The Pasta
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles until al dente according to package directions (usually about 5-6 minutes).
- Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. This prevents the noodles from getting mushy in the casserole.
Assembling The Casserole
- In a mixing bowl, combine diced onion, sour cream, and cream cheese until smooth. This creamy mixture is what makes this casserole so incredibly rich!
- Layer half of the noodles in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top with half of the sour cream mixture, then half of the beef mixture. Repeat layers.
- Sprinkle the top generously with Cheddar cheese. (This is where I get a bit carried away – can you ever have too much cheese? I think not!)
Baking The Casserole
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are slightly crispy.
- Remove from the oven, let it sit for about 5 minutes (if you can wait that long!), then serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe Highlights And Tips
The secret to making this ground beef casserole recipe truly amazing is in the details. Here are some tips I've picked up after making this dish approximately one million times (okay, maybe not that many, but close!):
Sauce Tips
For the best flavor, use high-quality tomato sauce. I've tried many brands, and honestly, the difference is noticeable! The pasta will absorb some of the sauce during baking and even while stored, so don't worry if it seems a bit saucy at first.
Sometimes I add a splash of red wine to the sauce while it simmers. It's totally optional, but it adds such a nice depth of flavor. (Just a splash for the sauce, a glass for the cook – that's my rule!)
Cheese Recommendations
I'm a firm believer that cheese makes everything better, especially in a beef casserole recipe. Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor punch, but feel free to experiment! A mixture of cheddar and mozzarella creates the most amazing cheese pull when you serve it.
Always shred your own cheese from a block if possible – pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can affect how it melts.
Pasta Options
While egg noodles are my go-to for this recipe, you can absolutely substitute with penne, ziti, or rigatoni. Each gives a slightly different texture, but they all work wonderfully.
The key is to cook the pasta just until al dente – it will continue cooking in the oven, and no one likes mushy pasta!
Meat Variations
This casserole is super versatile! Besides ground beef, you can use:
- Ground turkey for a lighter option
- Italian sausage for extra flavor
- A mix of beef and pork for richness
I've tried all these variations when I'm in the mood for something different, and they're all delicious in their own way.
Vegetable Add-Ins
Want to sneak in some extra veggies? I've successfully added:
- Diced green bell peppers or mushrooms (sauté them with the onions)
- Frozen mixed vegetables (add them to the meat mixture)
- Fresh spinach (wilt it into the sauce at the end of cooking)
Emily doesn't always notice the extra veggies, which counts as a major mom win in my book!
Flavor Boosters
For an unexpected flavor boost, try adding:
- A teaspoon of mustard powder
- A few dashes of hot sauce (my personal favorite trick!)
- Italian seasoning or fresh herbs
These little additions don't overpower the dish but add a "what makes this so good?" element that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Make-Ahead Tips For Ground Beef Casserole
As a busy mom, make-ahead meals are my lifeline. This ground beef casserole recipe works perfectly for meal prep:
One Day in Advance
You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it with foil, and refrigerate overnight. When you're ready to eat, just pop it in the oven! You might need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it's starting cold.
Freezer Instructions
This casserole freezes beautifully! Assemble it, cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to three months. I like to add a bit of extra sauce when I know I'm freezing it, as the pasta tends to absorb more moisture during the freezing/thawing process.
Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before baking as directed. If you're in a hurry, you can bake from frozen – just keep it covered with foil until the last 15 minutes, and plan for about double the baking time.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole is pretty hearty on its own, but I love to round out the meal with:
- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls (for sopping up that amazing sauce!)
My daughter's favorite way to eat this is with a side of garlic bread and extra cheese sprinkled on top. The girl knows what's good!
Storing Leftovers
If you're lucky enough to have leftovers (we rarely do!), they store beautifully:
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes
- For larger portions, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes
The flavors actually develop overnight, so don't be surprised if the leftovers taste even better the next day!
Recipes You May Like
If you enjoy this ground beef casserole recipe, you might also want to try these other beef dishes from my blog:
- Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas - Another quick and easy way to use ground beef!
- Beef and Tomato Stew - Perfect for colder months when you need something warming.
- Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bombs - A fun twist on burgers that kids absolutely love.
FAQ About This Ground Beef Casserole Recipe
This ground beef casserole is incredibly easy to make! With just 15 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes of baking, you'll have a delicious meal ready in 40 minutes total. The simple layering process makes it foolproof even for beginners.
For the best flavor in this ground beef casserole, use high-quality marinara sauce (like Rao's), shred your own whole milk mozzarella cheese, add flavor boosters like mustard powder or Frank's Hot Sauce, and consider mix-ins like green bell peppers or mushrooms for extra depth.
This versatile ground beef casserole is a perfect solution! The beef combines wonderfully with egg noodles, tomato sauce, and a creamy mixture of sour cream, cream cheese, and cheddar for a hearty, satisfying meal that pairs well with a simple side salad and bread.
Absolutely! You can assemble this ground beef casserole one day in advance and refrigerate, or freeze it for up to three months. When freezing, add extra sauce before baking and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before cooking for best results.
Conclusion
This ground beef casserole recipe might not be fancy, but it's the kind of reliable, comforting dish that earns a permanent spot in your recipe collection. It's saved my dinner plans countless times, and I'm betting it will do the same for you!
What I love most about casseroles like this is how they bring everyone to the table with smiles on their faces. There's something about that bubbling cheese and hearty filling that just makes everything better.
If you try this recipe, I'd love to know what you think! And don't forget to save it to Pinterest for later – trust me, you'll want to make this one again and again.
Ground Beef Casserole
Equipment
- 9x13-inch Casserole Dish
- Large Skillet
- Large Pot
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Casserole Ingredients
- 2 cans tomato sauce 15 oz. each
- 1 large white onion diced
- 1 package egg noodles 8 oz.
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 package cream cheese 3 oz.
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and crumbly, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in garlic salt, salt, and tomato sauce. Mix until well combined, then simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the skillet from heat and cover.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles until al dente according to package directions (usually about 5-6 minutes).
- Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- In a mixing bowl, combine diced onion, sour cream, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Layer half of the noodles in the bottom of the casserole dish. Top with half of the sour cream mixture, then half of the beef mixture. Repeat layers.
- Sprinkle the top generously with Cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are slightly crispy.
- Remove from the oven, let it sit for about 5 minutes, then serve warm and enjoy!
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