There’s something about layers of seasoned beef, soft noodles, and melted cheese that just fixes everything. Ground beef casserole is that dinnerthe one that shows up when you need it most, doesn’t ask for much, and leaves everyone happy.
I started making this back in early spring when I was coming out of that winter fog and needed meals that felt a little lighter but still cozy. After a long day, I need dinner to be comforting but not heavyand this hits that sweet spot. The trick I learned after testing it a dozen times? Don’t skip browning the beef properly; those crispy bits at the bottom add so much flavor. It’s become my weeknight anchor, and after 10+ years of recipe testing, I can tell you this one just works.
This ground beef casserole is a comforting and simple casserole recipe perfect for a busy night dinner. It comes together quickly and makes a great family dinner or easy weeknight meal everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound uncooked penne
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 medium onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1.5 cups marinara sauce
Salt & pepper to taste
1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Set your oven to 400F and position the rack in the middle. Lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne for 10 minutes until slightly firm.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook while breaking up the meat for 10 minutes. Stir in minced garlic when the beef begins to brown. Remove excess fat if necessary.
Mix in the marinara sauce and warm the mixture through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Drain the pasta and place it in the prepared baking dish. Pour the beef sauce over the pasta and stir to combine everything well. Sprinkle an even layer of cheddar cheese on top.
Bake uncovered for 10 minutes until the cheese melts. Optionally, broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese before serving.
Notes
This is a very flexible recipe where additions or substitutions are welcome
You can stir in extra cheese before topping if you like it extra cheesy
For crisp tops, broil 2–3 minutes at the end
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Category:Main Course
Method:Baked
Cuisine:American
Why You’ll Love This Easy Ground Beef Casserole
This is one of those reliable weeknight wins that gets you back into a rhythm. When decision fatigue hits, having a simple plan like this saves the eveningand honestly, it’s hard to mess up.
Comes together fast: Under 40 minutes from start to finish, which is basically a miracle on a Tuesday.
Pantry-friendly ingredients: No fancy shopping trip requiredjust penne, ground beef, marinara, and cheese.
Crowd-pleaser energy: Even picky eaters will dig into this one without complaints.
Minimal cleanup: One skillet, one pot, one baking dish. That’s it.
What You’ll Need (and What Makes It Work)
The magic here is simplicity. You’re layering seasoned beef with tender penne and melted cheddarnothing fussy, just comforting. Here’s what pulls it all together:
Lean ground beef: Browns beautifully and gives you that savory base without tons of grease to drain.
Penne pasta: Holds up in the oven without turning mushyjust cook it slightly underdone.
Marinara sauce: The cozy tomato blanket that ties everything together.
Shredded cheddar: Melts into golden, bubbly perfection. If you want extra cheese (and why wouldn’t you?), stir some into the beef mixture before topping.
Onion and garlic: The aromatics that make your kitchen smell like home.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip browning the beef properlythose crispy bits stuck to the skillet? That’s flavor gold.
How to Make It
This ground beef casserole comes together in three easy waves: cook the pasta, brown the beef, then bake. It’s forgiving, flexible, and honestly kind of hard to screw up.
Step
What You’re Doing
Time
1
Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish
2 min
2
Boil penne for 10 minutes (slightly underdone), then drain
10 min
3
Sauté beef, onion, and garlic in olive oil until browned
10 min
4
Stir in marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper
2 min
5
Toss drained pasta with beef mixture in baking dish, top with cheddar
3 min
6
Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, optional broil for bubbly cheese
10–12 min
Note: If you want that golden, slightly crispy cheese top, broil for 2–3 minutes at the endbut watch it like a hawk so it doesn’t burn.
Smart Swaps and Tweaks
One of the best things about this recipe? It’s wildly flexible. You can make it work with what you’ve got or sneak in some extras without throwing off the vibe.
Ingredient
Swap Options
Penne
Rigatoni, ziti, rotini, or even elbow macaroni
Ground beef
Ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage
Cheddar cheese
Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a Italian blend
Marinara sauce
Your favorite jarred pasta sauce or homemade tomato sauce
Want to sneak in veggies? Toss in some spinach, diced bell peppers, or mushrooms when you’re browning the beef. They’ll blend right in and no one will complain.
How to Serve and Store Leftovers
Serve this straight from the oven with a simple side salad or garlic bread if you’re feeling fancy. Leftovers are where this really shinesit reheats like a dream and honestly tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to hang out.
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven.
Freeze: Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil or freeze in portions. Good for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat tip: Add a splash of water or extra marinara before microwaving to keep it from drying out.
This is the kind of dinner that makes busy nights feel less chaoticand that’s worth keeping on repeat.
I’ve burned this ground beef casserole more times than I care to admit. The first few rounds came out watery or weirdly bland, but after tweaking the seasoning and adjusting the bake time, I finally got it right. Now it’s the cozy, cheesy dinner my family asks for on repeat.
FAQs ( Ground Beef Casserole )
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble this dish up to 24 hours before baking. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if baking straight from the fridge. This actually helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
What ground beef fat content works best?
80/20 ground beef gives the best flavor and texture without being too greasy. If using 85/15 or leaner, add a tablespoon of olive oil to prevent dryness. Always drain excess fat after browning to avoid a soggy bottom layer.
How do I prevent watery results?
Drain your ground beef well and pat vegetables dry before layering. If using frozen vegetables, thaw and drain them first. Let the dish rest 5-10 minutes after baking to allow liquids to settle and thicken.
What are good cheese alternatives?
Sharp cheddar melts beautifully and adds great flavor depth. Monterey Jack creates a milder taste, while a Mexican blend gives nice complexity. Use about 1.5-2 cups total for proper coverage and melting.
How long do leftovers keep?
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and they’ll stay fresh for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or cover and warm in a 350F oven for 15-20 minutes. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months.
Let’s Make This One a Regular
This ground beef casserole takes about 40 minutes start to finish, and honestly? That bubbly cheese top and those tender noodles soaking up all that seasoned beef flavor make it worth every single minute. You’ll love how it turns outgolden on top, cozy all the way through, and the kind of dinner that feels like a reset button for your whole evening.
Here’s a trick I learned from my mom’s kitchen: if you’ve got leftover veggies hiding in the crisper drawer, toss them in when you’re browning the beefzucchini, mushrooms, even frozen peas work beautifully. Want a little kick? A pinch of red pepper flakes does wonders. Leftovers reheat like a dream; just add a splash of marinara or a little water before microwaving so it stays nice and saucy. And if you’re meal prepping, this freezes beautifully for those nights when cooking from scratch just isn’t happening.
I’d love to knowdid you grow up with a casserole like this, or is this your first time layering beef and pasta into one glorious pan? Snap a photo when yours comes out of the oven and tag me so I can cheer you on. Share this one with a friend who needs an easy win this week, or tuck it away for the next time dinner feels like too much. Here’s to dinners that help you get back into a rhythm.
Sharing a handpicked collection of easy, healthy recipes made in our family kitchen. Rachel brings comforting classics, while Emily adds fresh, modern ideas together creating meals that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly.
