Best Ground Beef Casserole

Introduction

Best Ground Beef Casserole is hearty, comforting, and weeknight-friendly—savory ground beef baked with tender pasta (or potatoes), a rich sauce, and plenty of melty cheese. This classic family meal is easy to assemble, budget-friendly, and endlessly customizable. Warm, filling, and reliable, it’s the kind of casserole that disappears fast and reheats beautifully.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• One-pan comfort food
• Budget-friendly and filling
• Easy to customize with pantry staples
• Great for meal prep and leftovers

• Kid-approved, crowd-pleasing flavors

Ingredients (serves 6–8)

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups cooked pasta (rotini, penne) or sliced potatoes
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or 2 cups tomato sauce)
• 1 cup sour cream (or ricotta)
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste

• Optional add-ins: bell peppers, mushrooms, corn, spinach

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Large skillet
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Mixing spoon
• Colander (for pasta)

Step-by-step process (detailed)

1. Preheat the oven

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook 6–8 minutes, breaking it up, until fully browned. Drain excess fat.

3. Add aromatics

Add diced onion to the skillet and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Season and sauce

Stir in Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add marinara sauce and simmer 5 minutes to meld flavors.

5. Combine with pasta

Remove from heat. Stir in cooked pasta (or potatoes) and sour cream until evenly coated and creamy.

6. Assemble the casserole

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly, then sprinkle cheddar (or mozzarella) and Parmesan over the top.

7. Bake

Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly, and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.

8. Rest before serving

Let the casserole rest 10 minutes before slicing. This helps it set up for clean servings.

9. Serve

Serve warm with a simple green salad or garlic bread.

Mistakes to avoid

• Skipping draining beef — greasy casserole
• Overcooking pasta — mushy texture
• Under-seasoning — bland result
• Baking covered too long — pale cheese

• Cutting immediately — loose slices

Variations of Best Ground Beef Casserole

• Mexican-Style — taco seasoning, corn, black beans, pepper jack
• Cheesy Potato — swap pasta for thin-sliced potatoes
• Creamy Mushroom — add sautéed mushrooms and cream of mushroom soup
• Low-Carb — use cauliflower florets instead of pasta

• Spicy — add red pepper flakes or jalapeños

Tips for storage & make-ahead

• Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days
• Freeze unbaked or baked up to 2 months
• Thaw overnight before baking or reheating

• Reheat covered at 350°F until hot

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey?
Yes—season generously for the best flavor.

Do I need to cook the pasta first?
Yes, cook to al dente before assembling.

Can I make it ahead?
Absolutely—assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours.

What cheese works best?
Cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend all work well.

Conclusion

Best Ground Beef Casserole is dependable comfort food at its finest—savory, cheesy, and satisfying with minimal effort. Perfect for busy nights or feeding a crowd, this versatile casserole earns a permanent spot in the dinner rotation.