Crazy Good Casserole

Get ready to indulge in pure comfort with this "Crazy Good Casserole" recipe—a hearty and flavor-packed dish that’s destined to become a family favorite! Featuring layers of tender al dente penne pasta, rich and savory meat sauce, and a luscious blend of cream cheese and sour cream, this casserole is crowned with melty cheddar and mozzarella cheeses for the ultimate gooey finish. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, onions, and Italian herbs, this easy-to-make dinner comes together with just 20 minutes of prep time. Whether you're serving a crowd or meal-prepping for the week, this casserole is a guaranteed hit. Garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of brightness, and serve up a slice of cozy satisfaction!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Penne pasta
• 1 pound Ground beef
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 15 ounces Crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 4 ounces Cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup Sour cream
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Step 2

Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 4

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy.

Step 7

Spread half of the cooked penne pasta evenly in the bottom of the greased casserole dish.

Step 8

Spoon the cream cheese and sour cream mixture evenly over the pasta layer and spread gently with a spatula.

Step 9

Pour half of the meat sauce over the creamy layer, spreading it out evenly.

Step 10

Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce.

Step 11

Repeat the layers: remaining pasta, remaining meat sauce, remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese.

Step 12

Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

Step 13

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

Step 14

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Step 15

Serve warm and enjoy your Crazy Good Casserole!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1731.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3793.4

Total Fat 210.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 109.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 685.5mg	0%
Sodium 4661.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 301.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.1g	0%
Total Sugars 28.3g
Protein 192.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2057.1mg	0%
Iron 25.4mg	0%
Potassium 3218.8mg	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: 49.0%

Protein: 19.9%

Carbs: 31.2%