How to Make Simple Ground Beef Casserole in 30 Minutes

There’s something about the smell of ground beef browning in a skillet that makes the whole house feel like home. Maybe it’s the memory of your mom pulling a bubbling dish out of the oven on a Tuesday night, or the way cheese melts into every corner and makes everything better. That’s exactly what this Simple Ground Beef Casserole deliverscomfort, nostalgia, and the kind of dinner that feels like a hug. It’s been popping up all over Pinterest and TikTok lately, and honestly, I get it.

This is the kind of dish that pulls together with just a handful of pantry staples: seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and a creamy, cheesy sauce that ties it all together. It’s like your grandma’s version, but faster and way less fussy. You can toss in veggies, swap the rice for tots if you’re feeling a little cowboy-style, or keep it classic and creamy. Full details in the blog.

I grew up making casseroles with my mom, and let me tell youthis one passed the family test with flying colors. My kids scraped the pan clean, and I didn’t have to answer a single “what’s for dinner?” complaint. I tested it three times to get the cheese-to-beef ratio just right, and I’m pretty sure you’re gonna love the secret I’m sharing in the tips section.

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Why You’ll Love This Simple Ground Beef Casserole

This is the kind of dinner that saves you on those nights when your brain is fried and the fridge looks sad. You don’t need fancy ingredients or a culinary degreejust ground beef, pasta, marinara, and cheese. It comes together in about 35 minutes, most of which is hands-off baking time while you fold that laundry pile or scroll through your phone guilt-free.

The best part? It’s endlessly flexible. You can toss in whatever veggies are hiding in your crisper drawer, swap the cheddar for mozzarella, or even sneak in some extra cheese. My kids devoured this without a single complaint, and my husband asked for seconds. That’s a weeknight win in my book.

Here’s why this one’s a keeper:

• One-dish wonder that feeds a crowd or gives you leftovers for days
• Uses pantry staples you probably already have
• Cheesy, comforting, and totally customizable
• Kid-approved and easy enough for beginner cooks

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk about what makes this casserole tick. The lineup is simple, but each ingredient plays a starring role in creating that cozy, cheesy comfort we’re all craving.

Ground beef is the hearty baseI use lean so I don’t have to drain a ton of grease, but honestly, use what you’ve got. Penne pasta holds onto all that saucy goodness like a champ. You could swap in rigatoni or even shells if that’s what’s in your pantry. Marinara sauce keeps things easy and flavorfulno need to make your own unless you’re feeling fancy. And then there’s the cheddar cheese, melted, bubbly, and golden on top. It’s the reason everyone comes back for seconds.

Don’t skip the onion and garlic. They add depth and make your kitchen smell like an Italian grandmother moved in. A drizzle of olive oil keeps everything from sticking, and a little salt and pepper ties it all together.

Ingredient	Easy Swap
Penne pasta	Rigatoni, shells, or rotini
Ground beef	Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles
Cheddar cheese	Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a Italian blend
Marinara sauce	Your favorite jarred pasta sauce or homemade

How to Make It Step-by-Step

Okay, let’s get cooking. This is one of those recipes where everything happens at once, but don’t stressit’s totally manageable. Just follow along and you’ll have a bubbling, cheesy masterpiece in no time.

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and greasing a 9×13 baking dish. While that’s warming up, get your pasta water boiling. Cook the penne for about 10 minutesslightly underdone is key here because it’ll finish cooking in the oven. Nobody wants mushy pasta.

While the pasta’s going, heat your skillet over medium-high and add the olive oil, ground beef, and chopped onion. Break up the beef as it cooks, and once it’s browned (about 10 minutes), stir in the minced garlic. Let that cook for another minute until it smells amazing. If there’s a lot of grease, spoon some outbut a little fat equals flavor, so don’t go overboard.

Stir in the marinara sauce, warm it through, and taste it. Add salt and pepper as needed. Now drain your pasta, toss it into the greased baking dish, and pour the beef mixture on top. Mix it all together, then sprinkle that glorious cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Want it extra cheesy? Stir in half a cup of cheese before adding the rest on top.

Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, then if you’re feeling adventurous, flip on the broiler for a couple minutes to get that cheese all golden and bubbly. Serve it hot and watch it disappear.

Pro Tips for the Best Results

• Don’t overcook the pasta. It keeps cooking in the oven, so aim for al dente.
• Drain excess grease. Lean beef helps, but a quick spoon-out keeps it from getting greasy.
• Mix cheese in and on top. This creates pockets of melty goodness throughout.
• Watch the broiler. Cheese can go from golden to burnt in seconds. Stay close!

Easy Swaps and Fun Variations

This is where you can really make this dish your own. I’ve made this casserole at least a dozen times, and it’s different every time depending on what I have on hand or what mood I’m in.

Want to sneak in some veggies? Toss in diced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms when you’re browning the beef. Frozen spinach works great toojust thaw and squeeze out the water first. If you’re craving a little spice, add some red pepper flakes or swap the marinara for a spicy arrabbiata sauce.

For a Southwest twist, use taco seasoning on the beef, swap cheddar for pepper jack, and add black beans or corn. You could even top it with crushed tortilla chips for a fun crunch. And if you want to go full comfort mode, try stirring in a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese to make it extra creamy.

Note: This recipe is super forgiving. If you want to make it ahead, assemble everything up to the baking step, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if you’re putting it in cold.

How to Serve and Store Leftovers

This casserole is perfect straight out of the oven with a simple side salad or some garlic bread for scooping up every last cheesy bite. I’ve also served it with steamed broccoli or green beans to balance out all that comfort.

Leftovers are a beautiful thing here. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven until heated through. You can even freeze thisjust let it cool completely, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Storage Method	How Long It Lasts	Reheating Tip
Refrigerator	Up to 4 days	Microwave or oven at 350°F
Freezer	Up to 3 months	Thaw overnight, then reheat in oven

Pro Tip: Add a splash of water or extra marinara when reheating to keep it from drying out. A little extra cheese on top never hurts either.

Expert Says

A simple ground beef casserole works beautifully because ground beef’s high fat content creates moisture during baking, preventing the dish from drying out. The Maillard reaction that occurs when browning the meat first develops deep, savory flavors that enhance the entire casserole. This one-dish approach also allows starches to absorb those rich meat juices for maximum flavor.

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How I Finally Nailed My Simple Ground Beef Casserole

This simple ground beef casserole took me longer than I’d like to admit to get right. The first few times, I either overcooked the noodles or ended up with a watery mess that made my kids giggle. But after tweaking the timing and cheese ratio, I finally landed on a version that actually works every single time.

FAQs ( Simple Ground Beef Casserole )

Conclusion

This Simple Ground Beef Casserole comes together in about 35 minutes and delivers exactly what you need on a busy weeknightcheesy, comforting, and totally satisfying. You’ll love how the beef mingles with that creamy sauce and melted cheese, creating the kind of dinner that makes everyone scrape their plates clean. It’s simple, it’s delicious, and it feels like a hug in casserole form.

Want to switch things up? Try tossing in some bell peppers or using pepper jack for a little kick. Leftovers reheat beautifullyjust add a splash of water to keep everything moist. A trick I learned from my mom’s kitchen: always make extra, because someone will sneak back for seconds when they think you’re not looking.

I’d love to hear how yours turned out! Did you add veggies or go full cheese mode? Snap a photo and share your version, or save this recipe for the next time you need dinner to feel like home. Here’s to easy meals and happy bellies, friends.