This easy Ground Beef Casserole is a family favorite that's ready in 30 minutes. It's a hearty, satisfying meal-in-one with a wonderful Italian flavor that makes great leftovers.
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Stands Out
I’m all about easy, family-friendly meals - and this Ground Beef Casserole is just that. Here's why you’ll love this recipe:
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect recipe for busy weeknights. It's actually one of my favorite quick casserole recipes!
- Feeds a Crowd: With a pound of ground beef and a pound of pasta, this casserole is sure to satisfy even the hungriest of families.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have all of the ingredients for this casserole in your pantry and refrigerator already!
- Comfort: There's something about a cheesy pasta bake that's so comforting, like my Penne Pomodoro recipe.
- Make-Ahead: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator or freezer, which makes it a great option for meal prep or for taking to a friend or family member who could use a comforting meal.
Key Ingredients
- Penne Pasta - We use penne in this recipe for its robust shape and ridges that hold onto the sauce, ensuring that each bite is packed with flavor.
- Ground Beef - Ground beef is the star of this casserole, and for good reason. It's hearty, flavorful, and a hit with the whole family.
- Marinara Sauce - I love using marinara sauce in this recipe for its robust flavor and the convenience it offers. You can use store-bought or homemade marinara sauce.
- Grated Mozzarella - It adds a cheesy, gooey layer to the top of the casserole that is absolutely delicious.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some of my favorite variations and substitutions:
- Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. Cheddar cheese would be a great addition or substitution to the mozzarella.
- Ground Meat: If you're looking for a leaner option, try using ground turkey or even ground chicken instead of ground beef. For a spicier twist, you can also try using Italian sausage.
- Pasta: If you don't have penne pasta on hand, feel free to substitute it with any other type of pasta or even egg noodles.
- Vegetables: This casserole is quite versatile when it comes to veggies. Feel free to add bell peppers, mushrooms, or any other veggies you have in your refrigerator.
- Herbs and Spices: If you want to experiment with the flavors, try adding a sprinkle of oregano or even some taco seasoning to the ground beef mixture.
- Creamy Version: For a creamier version, you can add a layer of sour cream on top of the ground beef mixture before adding the cheese, just like in this Easy Beef Stroganoff.
How to Make Ground Beef Casserole
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 F and boil salt water for pasta. Cook penne for 10 minutes.
Step 2: In a large skillet, sauté oil, beef, and onion over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Step 3: Season with Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt. Stir in marinara sauce and warm through.
Step 4: Drain the pasta and place it in a 9x13 baking dish. Pour the beef mixture over the pasta. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes. Top with fresh basil and serve warm.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
What to Serve with Ground Beef Casserole
Salads and Vegetables
- A fresh, crunchy salad is a great way to balance out the heartiness of this casserole. Try a simple garden salad with a light vinaigrette dressing or a classic Caesar salad.
- If you're looking for an easy way to get more veggies into your meal, consider adding them directly into the casserole. Chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or even a handful of spinach can all be stirred into the ground beef mixture before baking.
Potatoes
- Potatoes are a classic side dish for any kind of casserole. You can serve this ground beef casserole with a side of mashed potatoes or even some crispy roasted Mediterranean potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend using lean ground beef for this casserole. It has just the right amount of fat to give the casserole flavor without making it greasy.
Absolutely! While I love the heartiness of penne, you can use any type of pasta you have on hand. Rotini, rigatoni, or even macaroni work great in this recipe.
Yes, you can freeze this ground beef casserole. After assembling the casserole in the baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake it as directed.
To reheat the leftovers, simply place a portion on a microwave-safe dish and heat it in the microwave until it's hot. You can also reheat it in the oven by placing it in a baking dish, covering it with foil, and baking at 350°F until it's heated through.
This ground beef casserole can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to cover it well to maintain its freshness and flavor.
More Ground Beef Recipes
If you make this recipe, please leave me a comment below and rate it. I always appreciate the feedback. Also, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
Recipe
Ground Beef Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pounds penne pasta
- 1 pounds ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 ½ cup marinara sauce
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt or adjust according to taste
- 2 cups mozzarella grated
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 F and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Boil salted water for the pasta and cook the penne for 10 minutes. The pasta should be slightly undercooked.
- Add the oil, beef, and onion to a skillet. Sauté over medium-high heat, breaking the meat up as you cook. Cook for about 10 minutes,
- Next add the garlic and cook for another minute or two.
- Season the meat with Italian seasoning, black pepper and salt.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and warm it through.
- Drain the pasta and pour it into the baking dish. Add the beef mixture over top and then toss until it's combined with the pasta. Top with a layer of the mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Top with some fresh basil.
- Serve while it is warm.
Notes
- Mix the ground beef with the pasta in the casserole dish just before baking to ensure that the pasta doesn't dry out and that the flavors are well combined.
- Feel free to customize this dish with your favorite vegetables or additional spices for added flavor.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer, making it a great option for meal prep or for using up leftovers. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time if baking from cold.
- If you have leftover ground beef mixture from another meal, this casserole is a great way to use it up. Just cook your pasta separately and combine it with the meat before baking.
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Leave a Reply