Description
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