Simple Ground Beef Casserole
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
538 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Simple Ground Beef Casserole
Description
In this casserole, dry penne pasta is boiled until just underdone to maintain texture after baking. Ground beef is cooked with onion and garlic, then simmered briefly in marinara sauce for seasoning and moisture. The beef and sauce are then combined with the drained pasta and placed in a baking dish.
Shredded cheddar cheese is layered on top before baking at 400°F, which melts the cheese and melds flavors together. Optional broiling adds a golden brown finish to the cheese topping. The casserole offers a mix of tender pasta, savory beef, aromatic garlic and onion, and creamy cheddar cheese.
This recipe is flexible to additions or ingredient substitutions, allowing home cooks to adjust seasoning or add vegetables as desired. It makes a practical and filling meal for households needing an easy baked pasta dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta uncooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1.5 cups marinara sauce
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F and move the rack to the middle position. Grease a 9x13 baking dish (I use Pam spray).
- Boil a large, salted pot of water for the penne. Cook it for 10 minutes (it should be slightly underdone so it doesn't get mushy).
- Add the oil, beef, and onion to a skillet. Sauté over medium-high heat, breaking the meat up as you go along, for 10 minutes. Once it gets going, stir in the garlic. Spoon out excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and warm through. Give it a taste and season with salt & pepper as needed.
- Drain the pasta and pour it into the baking dish. Pour the beef mixture over top and then toss until it's combined with the pasta. Top with an even layer of the cheese. If you want it extra cheesy, you can stir in an additional half cup of cheese prior to topping it with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake for 10 minutes, uncovered, until the cheese is nicely melted. I then broil it for a few minutes (optional) to brown the cheese up a bit. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe is flexible for ingredient substitutions or additions based on preference.
- The recipe appears in chapter 6 of the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials cookbook, which includes additional tips.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 538 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 538kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 61g | 20% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 77mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 551mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 674mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 548IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 236mg | 24% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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