Description
This Ground Beef Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish featuring savory ground beef simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, layered with creamy pasta and topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Ideal for a family dinner, it combines simple ingredients into a satisfying baked casserole that’s easy to prepare and delicious.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni or penne)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.
- Cook ground beef: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain excess grease from the pan.
- Prepare meat sauce: Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Mix pasta with sour cream and cheese: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with sour cream and half of the shredded cheddar cheese, mixing well to coat evenly.
- Assemble casserole layers: Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Layer the beef tomato mixture over the pasta, then top with the remaining pasta mixture.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese along with the shredded mozzarella evenly over the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- Rest and serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- You can substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta if desired.
- For extra flavor, add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms when sautéing onions and garlic.
- Use low-fat sour cream to reduce calories.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated.
- To make this dish spicier, add crushed red pepper flakes when simmering the meat sauce.
