Dude Where's My Casserole

Get ready to indulge in comfort food at its finest with "Dude Where's My Casserole," a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that's packed with bold flavors and satisfying textures. This oven-baked masterpiece combines al dente penne pasta, savory ground beef, a rich tomato-based sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning, and a medley of colorful mixed vegetables. Topped with a gooey layer of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, followed by a buttery, golden panko breadcrumb crust, each bite delivers the perfect balance of creaminess and crunch. Ready in just an hour, this easy casserole is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. Garnish with fresh parsley for an extra touch of freshness, and serve hot for a comforting main course that’s sure to become a new favorite! Perfect for pasta lovers and fans of one-dish meals, this recipe checks all the boxes for taste and convenience.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 cups frozen mixed vegetables (corn, peas, and carrots)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish lightly with cooking spray or butter, and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions, but drain it 1-2 minutes before it reaches al dente. Drain and set the pasta aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease and return the skillet to the heat.

Step 4

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 6

Add the frozen mixed vegetables to the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables are heated through.

Step 7

Turn off the heat and add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet. Stir well until the pasta is fully coated with the meat sauce.

Step 8

Pour half of the pasta and meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the layer. Add the remaining pasta and meat mixture, then top with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and the cheddar cheese.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown.

Step 11

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2539.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4220.8

Total Fat 197.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 100.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 644.7mg	0%
Sodium 5314.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 389.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 39.5g	0%
Total Sugars 65.1g
Protein 227.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2855.1mg	0%
Iron 23.7mg	0%
Potassium 4769.8mg	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: 41.9%

Protein: 21.4%

Carbs: 36.7%