When you need a comforting dinner that is easy to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy the whole family, this Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole is a recipe worth keeping. Made with seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, creamy tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese, this hearty casserole brings simple ingredients together in one delicious dish.
This easy ground beef casserole recipe is perfect for busy weeknights because most of the preparation can be done in one skillet before everything is transferred to the oven. The result is a bubbling, cheesy dinner with savory beef and tender pasta in every bite.
Whether you’re looking for an easy family dinner, a budget-friendly meal, or a make-ahead casserole for a busy week, this recipe is a delicious choice.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Casserole
This casserole is comforting, filling, and simple enough for beginner cooks. It also uses ingredients that are easy to find at almost any grocery store.
- Easy weeknight dinner
- Budget-friendly ingredients
- Creamy and cheesy
- Family-friendly flavor
- Great for meal prep
- Easy to customize
- Excellent leftovers
- Freezer-friendly
Serve it with a simple green salad, steamed vegetables, or warm garlic bread for a complete homemade meal.
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional
How to Make Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions, reducing the cooking time by about 1 minute. The pasta should be slightly firm because it will continue cooking in the oven.
Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
2. Brown the Ground Beef
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion.
Cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Continue cooking until the beef is browned and the onion has softened.
Drain any excess grease from the skillet if necessary.
3. Add the Garlic and Seasonings
Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and onion powder.
Cook for another 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
4. Make the Beef Sauce
Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes to the skillet.
Stir everything together and allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 5 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sour cream.
The sour cream adds a creamy texture and balances the acidity of the tomato sauce.
5. Combine With the Pasta
Add the cooked macaroni to the beef mixture.
Stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated with the seasoned beef and tomato sauce.
Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. Assemble the Casserole
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Transfer half of the beef and pasta mixture into the dish.
Sprinkle approximately half of the cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top.
Add the remaining pasta mixture and finish with the remaining cheese.
Spreading the cheese in layers helps ensure that every serving has plenty of melted cheese.
7. Bake
Cover the casserole loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.
For an extra-browned cheese topping, place the casserole under the broiler for 1–2 minutes at the end. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Best Ground Beef Casserole
Choose lean ground beef. Ground beef around 85–90% lean provides plenty of flavor without making the casserole excessively greasy.
Don’t overcook the pasta. Slightly undercooked pasta holds its shape better after baking.
Drain excess grease. If your ground beef releases a lot of fat, drain it before adding the sauce.
Shred your own cheese. Freshly shredded cheese melts smoothly and gives the casserole a better texture.
Let it rest before serving. Five minutes allows the sauce to settle and makes the casserole easier to portion.
Easy Variations
This casserole is easy to customize based on your family’s preferences.
For a spicy version, add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a few dashes of hot sauce.
For extra vegetables, add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, or corn.
You can replace the cheddar with Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
For extra richness, add 4 ounces of softened cream cheese along with the sour cream.
You can also substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the beef if desired.
What to Serve With Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole
Because this casserole contains protein, pasta, vegetables from the tomato sauce, and plenty of cheese, it can easily be served as a complete meal.
For a balanced dinner, pair it with:
- Green salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted vegetables
- Garlic bread
- Dinner rolls
- Green beans
- Caesar salad
A crisp green salad is especially good alongside the rich, cheesy casserole.
Make-Ahead Instructions
This is an excellent make-ahead casserole recipe.
Prepare the casserole according to the instructions, but don’t bake it. Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
When ready to cook, remove the casserole from the refrigerator while the oven preheats. Bake as directed, adding approximately 5–10 minutes to the covered baking time if necessary.
This makes it convenient for busy weeknights when you want dinner ready with minimal preparation.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions in a covered baking dish at 350°F (175°C).
The casserole can also be frozen. Place cooled portions in freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes. Penne, rotini, shells, or bow-tie pasta can all work well. Choose a shape that can hold plenty of the creamy beef sauce.
Can I make this casserole without sour cream?
Yes. Plain Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute. You can also use cream cheese for a richer casserole.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely. Ground turkey is an easy substitute. Because it is leaner, you may want to add a little extra olive oil or cheese for additional richness.
Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble it up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when you’re ready to serve.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole is the kind of easy comfort food that belongs in every family’s recipe collection. Tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, creamy tomato sauce, and layers of melted cheddar and mozzarella create a hearty dinner that is both simple and satisfying.
It’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners, family meals, potlucks, meal prep, and make-ahead cooking. Best of all, the recipe is flexible enough to accommodate different vegetables, cheeses, and seasonings.
Serve it hot with a fresh salad and some crusty garlic bread, and you’ll have an easy homemade dinner that everyone will want seconds of.
