Description
Ground Beef Casserole with cheesy, creamy layers. Perfect for busy weeknights and sure to please a crowd!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ pounds ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio provides the best flavor)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup/160g)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup/150g)
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 8 oz egg noodles or pasta, cooked al dente
- 2 cups shredded cheese (a combination of cheddar and mozzarella works well)
- ½ cup beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for your pasta. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package instructions indicate – it should be very al dente as it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the ground beef, breaking it into large chunks. Let it develop a brown crust before breaking it up further with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until no pink remains, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer the browned beef to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onions and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the bell peppers and mushrooms, cooking until they begin to soften, about 4 minutes more. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Step 4: Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Add the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, dried Italian herbs, and beef broth. Stir to combine everything thoroughly and bring to a gentle simmer. Let this mixture cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Step 5: Spread half of the cooked pasta in the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce mixture, then sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta and meat sauce, but reserve the remaining cheese for later.
- Step 6: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 475 calories per serving
- Sugar: 6 grams
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 grams
- Saturated Fat: 12 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 25 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 30 grams
- Cholesterol: 95 mg