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Homemade Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 128 reviews

This Homemade Ground Beef Casserole is a hearty and comforting baked pasta dish featuring tender penne pasta combined with flavorful browned ground beef, onions, and garlic simmered in a rich marinara sauce, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and offers a delicious, cheesy finish baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1.25 lb penne pasta

Meat and Seasonings

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion (finely diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Sauce

  • 2 cups marinara sauce (I use Rao’s Homemade)

Other

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with oil or butter. Finely dice the onion, mince the garlic cloves, and shred the cheddar cheese if it’s not pre-shredded to have everything ready for cooking.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook for about 10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Brown the Beef and Onions: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and ground beef, breaking apart the meat as it cooks. Cook for about 10 minutes until the beef is browned and the onion has softened, developing good browning for added flavor.
  4. Add Garlic and Sauce: Stir the minced garlic into the beef and onions, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and let simmer gently for 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Place the cooked pasta in the greased baking dish. Pour the beef and sauce mixture over the pasta. Stir gently until well combined and evenly distributed, being careful not to break the pasta.
  6. Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
  7. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to set slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Use a good-quality marinara sauce such as Rao’s for a richer flavor.
  • Don’t overcook the pasta; al dente ensures it holds up well during baking.
  • Allowing the cheese to brown slightly adds a nice texture and enhances flavor.
  • You can substitute cheddar with mozzarella or a blend of cheeses if preferred.
  • Prepping all ingredients ahead of time speeds up the cooking process.

Keywords: ground beef casserole, baked pasta, penne pasta casserole, easy dinner recipe, comfort food, cheesy ground beef bake

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/homemade-ground-beef-casserole-recipe/