Beefy Noodle Casserole

Craving comfort food? This easy Beefy Noodle Casserole comes together in a flash. Cheesy, meaty, and perfect for busy weeknights!

If you need comfort food, this cozy Beefy Noodle Casserole is about to become your new best friend. It’s the kind of reliable meal that comes together in a flash and is easy to customize. Whether you’re prepping ahead for busy weeknights, freezing one for later, or dropping a pan off to a neighbor who needs a little love, this simple mix of egg noodles, savory beef, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese never misses!

To make this Beefy Noodle Casserole, you will need these ingredients:

(Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are found below)

• pasta: The star of the show! Wide egg noodles are our absolute favorite here, but you can easily swap them out for elbow macaroni, penne, rotini, fusilli, or pasta shells depending on what's in your pantry.
• lean ground beef: The hearty protein of the casserole that can be swapped out for other meat options (see list below recipe).
• onion: Adds a savory depth of flavor that balances out the rich tomato sauce and cheese.
• garlic: You can never have enough garlic. It adds a wonderful, aromatic punch that ties the savory beef and rich tomato sauce together.
• diced tomatoes: Adds moisture and texture while keeping the casserole light and flavorful. Can be omitted, so make up for the missing liquid by adding an extra splash of water, beef broth, or additional ½ cup tomato sauce.
• tomato sauce: Pulls the savory beef and rich cheese together for that classic, comforting casserole flavor.
• Italian seasoning: Adds a punch of flavor to tie all the rich elements of the casserole together.
• shredded cheddar cheese: melted throughout the casserole for a gooey, comforting element

You will also need a pot and strainer, skillet, and 9x13 baking dish.

While your pasta boils to al dente, start the sauce by browning the ground beef in a skillet. Once cooked through, drain the excess grease, toss in the onion and garlic, and let them cook until fragrant. Finally, stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning until everything is well combined.

Once your noodles have finished cooking to a perfect al dente, carefully drain the water. Pour the warm pasta directly into the skillet with your meat mixture. Toss everything gently so that every single noodle is beautifully coated in the tomato sauce before you begin assembling the casserole.

To assemble the casserole, spread half of the beefy noodle mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the top, then repeat with the remaining noodles and a final, heavy layer of cheese on top to ensure every bite is perfectly gooey.

Pop the assembled casserole into the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it! Once the entire dish is heated through and the top layer of cheese is completely melted and bubbly, it's ready to come out and be enjoyed!

Serve the casserole immediately while it's piping hot, and store any leftovers in the fridge for easy lunches. If you want to freeze the casserole to enjoy later, just let it cool all the way down, seal it tightly in an airtight container, and pop it in the freezer. It is the perfect stash-away meal for those busy nights when you need something comforting without the effort!

Beefy Noodle Casserole

Servings: 8

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Bake Time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 12 ounces wide egg noodles
• ½ medium onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 16 ounces tomato sauce
• 15 ounces petite diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
2. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
3. Boil the noodles al dente, according to package directions.
4. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef until cooked through. Drain the grease.
5. Add onion and cook 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
6. Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
7. Drain the noodles and add to the meat mixture.
8. Stir everything together to combine.
9. Pour half of the mixture into the 9x13 pan and spread out evenly.
10. Top with half of the cheese.
11. Add the remaining noodle mixture and top with remaining cheese.
12. Bake 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted.

Storage:

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze the whole casserole for when you need an easy meal on-hand.
• Freezer Friendly: This casserole freezes like a dream! Let it cool all the way down, then wrap it up tight in an airtight container. Thaw the casserole out before baking, and it'll taste just as good as the day you made it.

Substitutions & Variations:

• pasta: swap the wide egg noodles for your favorite pasta, such as elbow macaroni, penne, rotini, fusilli, or pasta shells.
• meat: trade ground beef for ground chicken, ground turkey, sweet or spicy Italian sausage, ground pork, or even shredded rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
• sauce: use your favorite jarred marinara or pasta sauce instead of plain tomato sauce for an easy shortcut.
• cheese: swap the cheddar for mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Colby-Jack, or a heavy sprinkle of Parmesan
• vegetables: toss in extra veggies like diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or fresh spinach when cooking down the onions.

Whether you are throwing this together for a quick Tuesday night dinner, freezing a batch for later, or taking it to a neighbor in need, I hope this easy casserole becomes a reliable staple in your kitchen. Enjoy every cheesy, comforting bite! When you decide to give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear all about it! Please share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest!

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