Ground Beef Casserole is a simple recipe that’s very easy to make. It’s flavorful, filling and budget-friendly. It’s also versatile as you can adjust it depending on your preferences.
If you are looking for a great dinner recipe with ground beef, try this easy, filling and delicious Ground Beef Casserole. It’s a hit around our house!
It’s so easy to throw together and takes only 1 hour to make and you can feed the whole crowd with it. This recipe makes 8 servings, but you can easily double it if you have a bigger casserole dish to bake in.
Also, this recipe is great as leftovers. Make it once, and enjoy it for the next day lunch at work or for dinner. Just scoop out the leftovers into individual serving containers, and keep in the fridge or even freeze for later. This recipe is freezer-friendly.
You can also make ahead this cheesy beef and pasta casserole up to a day ahead. Simply assemble it, and put in the fridge covered. The following day, take it out of the fridge and bake in a preheated oven. You can enjoy this deliciousness after only 20 minutes of baking. This makes it a perfect recipe for busy weeknight dinners.
For other beef recipes, check out this delicious Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff, easy Instant Pot Hamburger Helper and this mouthwatering Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe.
Why This Recipe Works
- Kid Approved: My kids LOVE this casserole. Every time I make it, they ask for seconds and thirds!
- Quick and Easy: This is one of the easiest dinner recipes that you can throw together in no time.
- Customizable: Make this recipe yours! There are so many ways you can adjust this recipe depending on your preferences and what you have in your pantry. And I’m giving you some ideas below.
Key Ingredients
Complete list of ingredients with amounts and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Ground Beef: I used ground chuck, but any lean ground beef works here. You could also make it with ground turkey, ground chicken, or vegan ground meat if you prefer.
- Pasta: Any short shape of pasta works here. I went for fusilli because I like how sauce clings to it. But penne, macaroni, or small shells would also be perfect here.
- Marinara: For a flavorful sauce, I love adding marinara. You can substitute it with tomato sauce, or even ROTEL if you like green chiles.
- Corn: Use canned and drained corn, or frozen corn. I used frozen, and you don’t need to thaw it.
- Cheese: A mixture of shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella is perfect here! But feel free to use your favorites!
How To Make Ground Beef Casserole
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C, and lightly spray a 9×13″ or 2 quart casserole dish, and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: In a medium-sized saucepan, boil water, salt it, and cook the pasta for one minute less than package instructions.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and brown the ground beef breaking it apart as you cook it until it’s no longer pink. Drain fat if needed.
- Aromatics: Add onion and garlic, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the onion has softened.
- Make the Sauce: Add marinara, corn, and season with oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix and cook the mixture for 5 minutes. Add pasta, and give everything a good stir.
- Bake: Pour the meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with cheese and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and bubbly. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve.
Recipe Tips
- Meat – You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or vegan ground meat if you prefer, depending on your flavor preferences.
- Vegetables – You can throw in some of your favourite veggies if you like. Examples are; tomatoes, broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower and carrots. If using frozen veggies, stir them in after the beef is browned, and cook for couple of minutes.
- Cheese – You can use your favorite cheese here. I recommend using a mixture of shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella.
- Seasoning – Always taste the food as you go and add more salt and seasoning according to your preference. If you like your food hot, add chili powder while cooking.
- Smokey flavor – feel free to add more paprika to enhance the smokey flavor of the casserole.
- Quantities – this recipe is adaptable. Feel free to add more of one ingredient and less of another as long as it tastes good for you.
- Prepare ahead – You can make this casserole up to one day ahead, put it in the fridge and bake it the next day. This way, you’ll enjoy a hot meal in only 20 minutes.
FAQs
Any short shape of pasta works for this recipe. I prefer fusilli because the sauce clings to it. But penne, macaroni, or small shells are all good options.
This recipe is easily adaptable based on the diet you follow or ingredients that you have on hand. This casserole can be made keto by omitting pasta and corn and adding your favorite keto friendly vegetables instead, such as; tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower and carrots.
To make this casserole gluten free, use gluten-free pasta which works great in this recipe.
What To Serve With Ground Beef Casserole
This simple casserole is perfect on its own. But feel free to serve it along with vegetables, such as these flavorful brussels sprouts, crispy cauliflower, and healthy broccoli made in the Air fryer. This moist and tender Cornbread accompanies this dish perfectly too.
Try this tasty ground beef casserole once and you’ll want to add it to your weekly meal plan. Your entire family will love this comfort food!
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Ground Beef Casserole
Equipment
- 2 quart casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta any shape
- 1 tablespoon oil olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 16 ounces marinara sauce I used 2 cans of pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups frozen corn
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika sweet or smoked
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 cups grated cheese I used mozzarella and cheddar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C, and lightly spray a 9×13" or 2 quart casserole dish, and set aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, boil water, salt it, and cook the pasta for one minute less than package instructions.
- In a skillet over medium high heat, heat oil and brown the ground beef breaking it apart as you cook it until it's no longer pink. Drain fat if needed.
- Add onion and garlic, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the onion has softened.
- Add marinara, corn, and season with oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix and cook the mixture for 5 minutes. Add pasta, and give everything a good stir.
- Pour the meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish, sprinkle with cheese and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and bubbly. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve.
Notes
- Meat – You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or vegan ground meat if you prefer, depending on your flavor preferences.
- Vegetables – You can throw in some of your favourite veggies if you like. Examples are; tomatoes, broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower and carrots. If using frozen veggies, stir them in after the beef is browned, and cook for couple of minutes.
- Cheese – You can use your favorite cheese here. I recommend using a mixture of shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella.
- Seasoning – Always taste the food as you go and add more salt and seasoning according to your preference. If you like your food hot, add chili powder while cooking.
- Smokey flavor – feel free to add more paprika to enhance the smokey flavor of the casserole.
- Quantities – this recipe is adaptable. Feel free to add more of one ingredient and less of another as long as it tastes good for you.
- Prepare ahead – You can make this casserole up to one day ahead, put it in the fridge and bake it the next day. This way, you’ll enjoy a hot meal in only 20 minutes.
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