This homestyle ground beef casserole is destined to be a family favorite for an easy weeknight dinner. Ground beef simmers in a seasoned tomato sauce while egg noodles are tossed with cream cheese, sour cream and Parmesan. The casserole is finished with a blend of cheeses and baked until golden and bubbly. Both kids and adults love it.
I’ve been a bit absent lately — life got hectic as school started and, of course, the kids caught the usual back-to-school bugs. They’re all back to school now, healthy and ready to enjoy this comforting casserole. It’s a great recipe to celebrate getting the family back on track.
GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
Why this casserole is great:
- Easy: chop the vegetables, brown the beef, mix noodles with the creamy cheese mixture, top with cheese and bake.
- Packed with flavor: savory beef in a rich tomato sauce, creamy noodles and melted cheese make a comforting, satisfying dish.
- Budget-friendly: simple pantry staples make this an economical family meal.
If you’re tired of the same ground beef dinners, give this easy casserole a try. The combination of egg noodles, ground beef, diced tomatoes and three cheeses is hard to resist.
HOW TO MAKE GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
The steps are straightforward and fast. Once you prep the ingredients, the casserole comes together quickly and bakes while you relax.
PREP YOUR INGREDIENTS
Cook the egg noodles in salted water, drain, and have your seasonings and vegetables ready. Combine the Colby jack and sharp cheddar and set aside. Shred the mozzarella and set it aside as well.
1. EGG NOODLES
In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, dry parsley and sliced green onions. Whisk until reasonably smooth; small lumps are fine. Season with salt and pepper. Add the drained egg noodles and toss until all noodles are coated. Set aside.
VEGETABLES
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Add diced red onions and red bell pepper and sauté until softened, then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
GROUND BEEF
Add 1 pound ground beef (85% lean is recommended) to the skillet with the vegetables. Break the meat into small pieces as it browns. Drain excess fat, then return the beef to the pan. Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder and seasoning salt. Simmer briefly to combine flavors.
Once combined, transfer the meat mixture to a bowl. If the skillet is greasy, wipe it clean and lightly grease it before assembling the casserole.
PREP HOMESTYLE GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
Spread the noodle mixture evenly in the prepared skillet or baking dish. Top with the ground beef and tomato sauce, spreading to near the edges. Sprinkle the combined Colby jack and sharp cheddar over the meat, then finish with the shredded mozzarella.
BAKE
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Tent foil over the skillet or baking dish to prevent the cheese from sticking. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and broil for 1–3 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
SERVE THE CASSEROLE
Top with sliced green onions, cut into portions and serve warm. This casserole pairs nicely with crusty bread and a simple side salad.
CAN GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE BE MADE IN ADVANCE?
Yes. Assemble the casserole in a baking pan (do not use cast iron for refrigerated storage). Do not add the shredded cheese before refrigerating. Cover and chill. When ready to bake, add the cheeses, tent with foil and bake; increase baking time by about 15 minutes because the casserole will be cold.
VARIATIONS
Customize this homestyle casserole to suit your taste: swap the ground beef for ground pork, turkey or chicken; add different vegetables; or use macaroni (about 2 cups) instead of egg noodles. Try different cheese combinations if you prefer.
Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
April Boller Wright
Comforting ground beef casserole with egg noodles, creamy cheese mixture and three-cheese topping baked to golden perfection.
Prep Time: 11 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Servings: 5 people
Course: Casserole, Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the noodles
- 4 cups egg noodles, cooked in salted water and drained
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan, plus an additional 1/8 cup (see notes)
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced thin
- 1 1/2 tsp dry parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Casserole
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil, plus more as needed
- 1/2 cup diced red onions
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 cup diced red bell peppers
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 14.5 oz diced petite tomatoes, do not drain
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 1/8 tsp seasoning salt (adjust to taste)
Shredded Cheese
- 1 cup shredded Colby jack (use block cheese)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar (use block cheese)
- 1 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella (whole milk recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine Colby jack and sharp cheddar and set aside. Leave the mozzarella separate.
- Mix cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, parsley and green onions in a medium bowl until mostly smooth. Add cooked noodles, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm oil and sauté onions and bell pepper until softened. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and break into small pieces. Cook until browned, drain, and return to the skillet. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder and seasoning salt. Combine and simmer briefly.
- Lightly grease a baking dish or the skillet. Spread the noodle mixture evenly, top with the ground beef mixture, then sprinkle the Colby jack/sharp cheddar blend and finish with mozzarella.
- Tent with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and broil 1–3 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly, watching closely to avoid burning. Serve warm.
Notes & Tips
The cream cheese mixture should be mostly smooth—small lumps are acceptable. If making ahead, assemble in a baking pan (not cast iron) and refrigerate without the shredded cheese. When ready to bake, add cheese and increase baking time by about 15 minutes. When broiling the top, leave the oven door slightly ajar and watch carefully.
More Ground Beef Recipes
- Yasss Best Meatloaf
- Best Chili Recipe
- Lazy Ravioli Lasagna
- Best Ever Ground Beef Tacos
- Salisbury Steak with Onion Gravy
If you enjoy comforting, cheesy casseroles, this homestyle ground beef casserole is a must-try. It’s simple to prepare, feeds a crowd, and makes excellent leftovers.