Cheesy Beef Casserole

Loaded with hearty, comforting flavors, this Cheesy Beef Casserole is the ultimate weeknight dinner your family will crave. Featuring tender pasta coated in a rich marinara sauce, perfectly seasoned ground beef, and creamy sour cream, this crowd-pleaser is topped with a golden, gooey layer of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses for the perfect melty finish. Quick to prepare in just 15 minutes, this baked casserole brings together simple pantry staples like garlic, onions, and dried oregano for a dish that's bursting with robust flavor. Perfect for feeding a crowd, it serves six and pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad. Add this indulgent, cheesy baked pasta recipe to your rotation for a meal that's as easy to make as it is satisfying!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 12 oz Pasta (penne or elbow macaroni)
• 24 oz Marinara sauce
• 0.5 cup Sour cream
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess grease.

Step 6

Stir in the marinara sauce, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, beef and marinara mixture, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined.

Step 8

Transfer the pasta and beef mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly.

Step 9

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

Step 12

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2073.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3341.3

Total Fat 216.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 104.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 660.3mg	0%
Sodium 5855.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 161.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.4g	0%
Total Sugars 29.9g
Protein 192.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2762.6mg	0%
Iron 12.8mg	0%
Potassium 1512.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.0%

Protein: 22.8%

Carbs: 19.1%