Absolutely! Here’s a hearty Ground Beef Casserole recipe—comforting, easy, and full of flavor. You can make it as a weeknight dinner or prepare ahead for leftovers.
Ground Beef Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni, penne, or rotini)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas or corn (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Beef Mixture
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned.
- Drain excess fat.
- Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Combine with Pasta
- In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, beef mixture, and frozen vegetables (if using).
- Stir in half of the shredded cheese.
4. Assemble Casserole
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
- Top with remaining cheese and Parmesan.
5. Bake
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips:
- Add mushrooms or zucchini for extra veggies.
- You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Leftovers taste great reheated and sometimes even better the next day!
If you want, I can also give a quick 1-pot version that skips the oven and cooks entirely on the stovetop in about 30 minutes.
Do you want me to make that quick stovetop version?