Description
Classic ground beef casserole offers a comforting medley of hearty ingredients that blend seamless flavor profiles. Home cooks appreciate this simple midwestern dish for its satisfying layers of meat, cheese, and nourishing vegetables you can enjoy with family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 2 cups (240 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups (200 g) cooked pasta (elbow or penne)
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) tomato sauce
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until thoroughly browned, carefully draining accumulated fat.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into the beef, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour tomato sauce and diced tomatoes into the skillet, seasoning with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Allow mixture to simmer and meld flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
- Create casserole layers in the prepared baking dish: spread cooked pasta as the base, followed by the seasoned meat mixture.
- Gently spread sour cream evenly across the meat layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the entire casserole surface, creating a rich and appealing topping.
- Transfer casserole to preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges become golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let casserole rest for 3-5 minutes to allow flavors to settle and facilitate easier serving.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing texture.
- Customize the dish by using ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter, healthier version.
- Enhance flavor by adding a splash of red wine or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like basil or parsley before baking.
- For a gluten-free option, swap regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg