Ground Beef Casserole
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Posted: 07/30/25
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Simple yet packed with flavor this Ground Beef Casserole is an easy dinner recipe that’s budget friendly. Plus, kids love it! A yummy mixture of pasta, ground beef, marinara sauce, cheese and seasonings. Perfect for the freezer and making ahead of time.
Budget friendly meals don’t have to be boring! This yummy hamburger and noodle casserole is packed full of flavor and loaded with protein. Not to mention, it’s crazy easy and quick to make. Noodles, cheese and flavorful ground beef combine to make a comfort food casserole that is to die for!
Plus, there are almost always leftovers to fight over. Cheeseburger casserole is just as easy as this hamburger pasta bake, so you should try it out too. Get a rotation of easy casseroles going and have a really simple meal every week!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It only takes about a half hour to prepare and cook this simple casserole.
- This dish is made with simple, staple ingredients that you can keep in your pantry and fridge/freezer.
- Ground beef casserole is perfect for meal prep!
Ingredients for Ground Beef Noodle Casserole
- Ground beef – Use lean ground beef for best results and the least amount of grease or fat to drain off. We love this recipe best with beef, but you can also use ground turkey, ground chicken or even ground pork if you prefer.
- Italian seasoning – A little Italian seasoning will season this simple casserole perfectly. Italian seasoning is typically made from a mix of rosemary, thyme, parsley, oregano, basil and marjoram.
- Salt and pepper – Season ground beef with a little salt and pepper or your favorite beef seasoning.
- Minced garlic – Freshly minced garlic adds a whole level of flavor to this tasty casserole.
- Tomato sauce – The tang of tomato sauce pairs wonderfully with the deep flavors cheese, beef and pasta. Sauce also binds the casserole together.
- Onion – I recommend using white onion or yellow onion. The mild flavor will pair well with all the other ingredients in this recipe.
- Marinara sauce – Using both tomato sauce and marinara will provide a yummy depth of flavor. Grab your favorite jar of marinara or make some homemade marinara sauce. If everyone in your family likes a little kick, buy some spicy marinara sauce. The options are endless!
- Mozzarella cheese – Shred your own cheese for the most melty and gooey goodness.
- Penne – Penne is my favorite, and it’s nice and sturdy, but you can use any other tube shaped pasta. Spiral noodles and bowtie pasta can be really fun too. You can use your favorite gluten-free noodles if necessary, too.
How to Make Ground Beef Casserole
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and then add pasta. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain off the pasta water and then transfer pasta to a large mixing bowl.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat with the ground beef and diced onion and then season with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook until there is no pink left in the beef, about 10 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Then stir in the marinara and tomato sauces and transfer to the mixing bowl with the pasta.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top.
Bake for about 15 minutes until the cheese is lightly golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Pro Tips!
- Want a darker golden brown color to the cheese topping? Turn the broiler on for one minute just before pulling this ground beef casserole with noodles out of the oven.
- If you want to add extra veggies like sliced mushrooms and diced bell peppers, add them with the onions.
Storage and Reheating
FRIDGE: Either transfer leftover casserole to an airtight container, or tightly cover the casserole dish in plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
FREEZER: There are couple different ways to freeze this dish. You can either freeze leftovers for 2 months, or freeze an unbaked casserole for about 3 months. To freeze leftovers, just transfer them to an airtight container and allow to fully cool before freezing. To freeze an unbaked casserole, assemble all the way up to the point you would bake it. Then wrap the dish very tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store.
Reheat leftovers in the microwave or oven until warmed through. If you are baking an un-baked ground beef casserole from frozen, just add some time onto the bake time.
A tasty casserole that the whole family will love! This ground beef casserole is a go-to recipe with all the comfort food feelings.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Ground Beef Casserole
An easy casserole packed with flavor from ground beef, pasta, marinara sauce, cheese and seasonings. Make this family friendly dinner tonight!
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces penne or other short pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and transfer pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- In a large, deep skillet over medium-high, add the ground beef, onions and Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook the ground beef and onions, breaking up the beef into smaller pieces with the back of a wooden spoon until browned, about 10 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 more minute. Stir in the marinara and tomato sauces then transfer to the mixing bowl with pasta. Gently stir to combine.
- Pour pasta mixture into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top and bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is lightly golden, about 15 minutes.
Tips
FRIDGE: Either transfer leftover casserole to an airtight container, or tightly cover the casserole dish in plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
FREEZER: There are couple different ways to freeze this dish. You can either freeze leftovers for 2 months, or freeze an unbaked casserole for about 3 months. To freeze leftovers, just transfer them to an airtight container and allow to fully cool before freezing. To freeze an unbaked casserole, assemble all the way up to the point you would bake it. Then wrap the dish very tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store.
Reheat leftovers in the microwave or oven until warmed through. If you are baking an un-baked ground beef casserole from frozen, just add some time onto the bake time.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 610kcal (31%), Carbohydrates: 70g (23%), Protein: 35g (70%), Fat: 21g (32%), Saturated Fat: 10g (63%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 81mg (27%), Sodium: 1357mg (59%), Potassium: 1009mg (29%), Fiber: 6g (25%), Sugar: 10g (11%), Vitamin A: 1063IU (21%), Vitamin C: 15mg (18%), Calcium: 259mg (26%), Iron: 5mg (28%)
What to Serve with Ground Beef Noodle Casserole
This cheesy garlic bread would be the perfect cozy side to this ground beef casserole with noodles. Air fryer potato wedges and air fryer french fries would be another yummy side!
If you want a veggie side dish, these glazed carrots or oven roasted vegetables would be great.
A crunchy lettuce frito salad would pair well with ground beef casserole. Some warm dinner rolls with butter are always a good side dish!
More Great Beef Casserole Recipes
- Make taco Tuesday a little different with this amazing Taco Casserole recipe. Egg noodles, seasoned ground beef and all the taco fixings make this one a family favorite.
- A twist on a favorite classic meal, this Sloppy Joe Casserole is a crowd favorite. It is a quick and easy comfort meal any day of the week.
- Pizza Casserole is the ground beef casserole that picky eaters won’t complain about for even a second. Pasta, ground beef and pizza toppings – it doesn’t get any better!
- Meatball Sub Casserole is so fun to make and even more fun to eat! All of the flavors of your favorite sub are combined into one great casserole dish.
Alicia Clayton says
tasty!
Brooke Kill says
Glad to hear Alicia!
Nancy-Ann Macey says
All you’re recipient are delicious family loves them all.