Description
This Simple Ground Beef Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Made with flavorful ground beef, creamy cheese, and a few pantry staples, this casserole is easy to make and loved by the whole family. With its savory flavors and simple ingredients, it’s a quick dinner solution that will become a family favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, or penne)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for topping)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
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Cook the ground beef:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes.
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Sauté the onion and garlic:
- Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Combine the ingredients:
- Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices), cream of mushroom soup, frozen peas (if using), cooked pasta, shredded cheddar cheese, and dried oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until everything is well combined.
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Assemble the casserole:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the beef and pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese on top.
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Bake:
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
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Serve:
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can add other vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or corn to this casserole for added flavor and nutrition.
- Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken as a lighter option in place of ground beef.
- For extra creaminess, you can stir in a little sour cream or cream cheese before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the casserole
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg