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Homemade Ground Beef Casserole

Hearty Homemade Ground Beef Casserole for Busy Families

This Homemade Ground Beef Casserole is a comforting dish perfect for busy families, combining tender pasta, savory beef, and melty cheese.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces Penne Pasta Cook until slightly underdone to avoid mushiness.
For the Beef Mixture
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil Feel free to substitute with any preferred cooking oil.
  • 1 pound Ground Beef 85/15 blend gives great flavor without being overly greasy.
  • 1 Medium Onion Finely diced; shallots or leeks can be delicious alternatives.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced; fresh garlic is best, but garlic powder works in a pinch.
  • 2 cups Marinara Sauce Rao's Homemade is a great choice, but any favorite will do.
  • Salt & Black Pepper Add seasoning to taste.
For the Topping
  • 2 cups Cheddar Cheese Shredded; mozzarella or a cheese blend can be used instead.

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large pot
  • large skillet

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta for about 7–8 minutes.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté the diced onion for 3–4 minutes.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, about 8–10 minutes.
  5. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, then add marinara sauce.
  6. Combine drained pasta with the beef mixture, and transfer to the baking dish.
  7. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top and bake for about 10 minutes until cheese is melted.
  8. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This casserole is family-friendly and hearty, perfect for gatherings or potlucks. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or frozen for longer storage.

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