Hearty & Easy Ground Beef Noodle Casserole: The Ultimate Family Comfort Food

Prepare to delight your taste buds and gather your loved ones around the table with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious ground beef noodle casserole. This timeless recipe is a true family favorite, combining tender egg noodles with a rich, savory meat sauce featuring robust tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, all crowned with a irresistible layer of gooey mozzarella and sharp Parmesan cheese. It’s the kind of hearty, comforting meal that brings smiles to faces and warmth to homes, making it a perfect staple for any busy weeknight or a relaxed Sunday supper.

This classic beef noodle casserole stands out as one of my go-to easy dinner recipes because it delivers a complete, satisfying meal all in one convenient dish. It’s simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and offers that nostalgic taste of home-cooked goodness that everyone craves. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a dish that yields delicious leftovers, this casserole is sure to become a beloved addition to your culinary repertoire.

If you appreciate simple, comforting pasta recipes that come together with minimal fuss, you might also enjoy our one-pot sun-dried tomato pasta or a luxurious creamy one-pot rigatoni for more fuss-free meals.

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Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Noodle Casserole

There are countless reasons why this ground beef noodle casserole deserves a permanent spot in your recipe rotation. Beyond its delightful taste, it offers a blend of convenience and versatility that makes meal planning a breeze:

• Unbeatable Comfort Food: This casserole embodies everything comforting. The tender noodles, rich meaty tomato sauce, and melty cheese layers create a warm, satisfying dish that feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s the perfect antidote to a long day or a chilly evening.
• Kid-Friendly Favorite: Even the pickiest eaters will ask for seconds! The familiar flavors of ground beef, pasta, and cheese are universally loved by children and adults alike, making it an ideal choice for family dinners.
• Budget-Friendly Meal: Made with affordable ingredients like ground beef, egg noodles, and canned tomatoes, this casserole stretches your dollar further. It’s a cost-effective way to feed a crowd without compromising on flavor or satisfaction.
• One-Dish Wonder: Everything bakes together in a single casserole dish, simplifying both the cooking process and cleanup. This means less time scrubbing pots and pans and more time enjoying your meal with family.
• Versatile & Customizable: This recipe is incredibly adaptable. You can easily swap out ingredients, add extra vegetables, or adjust seasonings to suit your family’s preferences. It’s a fantastic canvas for culinary creativity, ensuring it never gets boring.
• Great for Meal Prep: This casserole is fantastic for making ahead of time. Assemble it, refrigerate, and bake later, or bake it entirely and portion it out for lunches and dinners throughout the week. It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for busy schedules.

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Essential Ingredients for Your Casserole

Crafting this hearty ground beef noodle casserole requires a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor and texture that make this dish so irresistible.

• Egg Noodles: These wide or extra-wide, ribbon-shaped pasta are made from egg and flour, providing a tender texture that perfectly soaks up the rich meat sauce. They are the quintessential base for a classic noodle casserole, offering a comforting bite in every forkful.
• Ground Beef: The star of the show! You can use your preferred type of ground beef, such as regular ground beef for more flavor, lean ground beef for a lighter option, or ground chuck, round, or sirloin. The key is to brown it well to develop deep, savory notes.
• Onion: Chopped onion, whether white, yellow, sweet, or red, adds an aromatic foundation to the meat sauce. It softens and caramelizes as it cooks with the beef, imparting a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes, including their liquid, contributes a vibrant, slightly chunky texture and bright, acidic notes to the sauce, balancing the richness of the beef. Do not drain them—the liquid is essential for the sauce’s consistency.
• Tomato Sauce: This forms the smooth and robust base of our pasta sauce. It coats the noodles beautifully and marries all the flavors together, creating a classic red sauce profile.
• Beef Broth: Adding beef broth is a secret weapon to enhance the inherent beefy flavor of the dish, ensuring every bite is rich and savory. It also helps to achieve the perfect sauce consistency, preventing the casserole from being too dry.
• Basil, Oregano, Garlic Salt, Black Pepper: These dried herbs and seasonings are crucial for infusing the pasta and sauce with classic Italian-American flavors. Basil and oregano bring an earthy, aromatic depth, while garlic salt provides both garlic essence and seasoning, and black pepper adds a hint of spice.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Shaker-style Parmesan adds a wonderful salty, sharp, and umami-rich element throughout the casserole and in the sauce, enhancing the overall cheesiness.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: This is what creates that iconic, irresistible gooey, stretchy, and golden-brown topping. Mozzarella melts beautifully, forming a delicious blanket over the entire casserole.

For precise measurements, please refer to the recipe card below.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Ground Beef Noodle Casserole

Creating this comforting ground beef noodle casserole is straightforward and enjoyable. Follow these simple steps to bring this family-favorite dish to life:

First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when your casserole is assembled. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set it aside. This prepares your baking vessel for the delicious layers to come.

Next, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions, but make sure to subtract 3 minutes from the recommended cooking time. This ensures the noodles are slightly al dente, as they will continue to cook and absorb moisture in the oven, preventing them from becoming mushy. Drain the noodles thoroughly and set them aside.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. As the beef cooks, break it apart with a spoon and add the chopped onion. Continue to cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion becomes translucent and tender. This step builds the savory foundation of your sauce. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep your casserole from being greasy.

To the skillet with the browned beef and onions, add the diced tomatoes (with their liquid), tomato sauce, beef broth, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined. Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a rich and aromatic sauce.

Once the sauce has simmered, add the pre-cooked, drained egg noodles directly to the skillet with the rich beef and tomato mixture. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese thoroughly until all the noodles are beautifully coated with the savory sauce and cheese. This ensures every bite of your casserole is packed with flavor.

Carefully transfer the entire beef and noodle mixture from the skillet into your greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly to create a consistent layer. Finally, generously top the entire surface with an even layer of shredded mozzarella cheese. This is where the magic happens, promising a beautifully melted, bubbly cheese crust.

Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps to steam the casserole, ensuring the noodles finish cooking perfectly and the flavors fully meld. Bake for 15 minutes. After this initial baking, carefully remove the foil. Continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese on top is beautifully bubbly, melted, and lightly browned, creating a tempting golden crust.

Once baked to perfection, remove the casserole from the oven. It’s crucial to let it cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the cheese and sauce to set, making it easier to serve clean slices and preventing the casserole from falling apart. Serve warm and enjoy your homemade, comforting meal!

Smart Substitutions for Your Casserole

One of the best things about this ground beef noodle casserole is its flexibility. Don’t have a specific ingredient? No problem! Here are some fantastic substitutions to help you adapt the recipe to what you have on hand or to cater to different dietary preferences:

• Egg Noodles: While wide egg noodles are traditional, medium or extra-wide egg noodles will also work perfectly. For a heartier or different texture, consider using other pasta shapes like ziti, penne, or fettuccine. Just be sure to cook any alternative pasta until al dente before mixing it into the sauce. Whole wheat egg noodles are also a great option for added fiber.
• Ground Beef: Any ground meat can be a delicious substitute! Try ground Italian sausage for a spicier, more robust flavor, ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner alternative, or a plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian version. Adjust seasonings if using a different meat to complement its flavor profile.
• Chopped Onion: If you don’t have a white or yellow onion, sweet onion or even red onion will work, though red onion might impart a slightly sharper flavor. Shallots can also be used for a milder, more delicate onion flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes: For a slightly smoother sauce with texture, petite diced tomatoes or fire-roasted diced tomatoes (for an extra smoky flavor) are excellent choices. If you prefer a completely smooth sauce, a second can of tomato sauce or canned crushed tomatoes can replace the diced tomatoes. Remember not to drain the liquid!
• Tomato Sauce: A good quality jarred marinara sauce can be used in a pinch. If opting for marinara, you might want to skip or reduce the additional dried basil and oregano, as marinara often comes pre-seasoned.
• Beef Broth: Chicken broth or vegetable broth are fantastic alternatives that will still add depth and moisture to the sauce. Mushroom broth can also offer a rich, savory umami flavor.
• Oregano and Basil: If you’re short on individual dried herbs, you can easily replace one or both with dried Italian seasoning. Just ensure you use an equivalent amount for a balanced flavor.
• Garlic Salt: If you only have garlic powder and regular salt, you can create your own blend. A good starting point is a little more salt than garlic powder, but adjust to your taste.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: While grated Parmesan adds a distinct nutty and salty kick, shredded Parmesan can also be used. Other hard Italian cheeses like Pecorino Romano (for a saltier, sharper taste), Grana Padano, or Asiago can also be wonderful substitutes.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Provolone is a top recommendation for its excellent melting properties and mild, creamy flavor, very similar to mozzarella. Monterey Jack, cheddar cheese, or even Gouda can also be used to create a deliciously cheesy topping, each offering a slightly different flavor profile.

Recommended Equipment

Having the right tools makes preparing this casserole even easier. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 9×13 baking dish – The ideal size for baking a generous portion of this family-sized casserole.
• Large pot – Essential for properly boiling the egg noodles before they join the delicious beef sauce.
• Colander – For efficiently draining the cooked egg noodles, ensuring they’re ready for the sauce.
• Large skillet – Perfect for browning the ground beef and simmering the savory tomato-based sauce.
• Chef’s knife – For safely and easily dicing the onion and any other vegetables you choose to add.
• Cutting board – A stable surface for all your chopping and dicing needs.

Expert Tips for the Best Casserole

Elevate your ground beef noodle casserole from great to unforgettable with these insider tips and tricks:

• Don’t Overcook Your Noodles: As mentioned in the instructions, cooking your egg noodles al dente (or even slightly undercooked) is crucial. They will continue to cook in the oven, absorbing the delicious sauce. Overcooked noodles will result in a mushy casserole.
• Brown Your Beef Thoroughly: Don’t rush the browning process. Achieving a good sear on your ground beef creates deep, savory flavors (Maillard reaction) that will enhance the entire casserole. Drain excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
• Simmer for Flavor Depth: Allowing the sauce to simmer for the recommended 5-7 minutes is vital. This time allows the flavors from the tomatoes, broth, and seasonings to meld and deepen, creating a more cohesive and delicious sauce.
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before mixing in the noodles, taste your meat sauce. This is your chance to adjust the salt, pepper, or other herbs to your preference. A perfectly seasoned sauce means a perfectly seasoned casserole.
• Layering Matters: While this recipe is quite forgiving, ensure an even distribution of the noodle and beef mixture in the baking dish. This promotes even cooking and ensures every scoop has a good balance of ingredients.
• Fresh Herbs for Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil just before serving can add a pop of color and a fresh aromatic note that beautifully complements the rich flavors of the casserole.
• Let It Rest: The 10-minute cooling period after baking is not optional! It allows the casserole to set, making it much easier to portion cleanly and preventing the sauce from running everywhere when you cut into it.
• Consider a Cheese Blend: While mozzarella is traditional, consider adding a small amount of sharp cheddar or provolone to your mozzarella topping for a more complex cheesy flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about making and enjoying ground beef noodle casserole:

• Can I assemble this casserole ahead of time?
  Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole (up to the point of topping with mozzarella) and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add the mozzarella and increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes, ensuring it’s heated through before uncovering to brown the cheese.
• What kind of baking dish should I use?
  A standard 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) casserole dish or baking pan is perfect for this recipe, yielding a family-sized portion. Glass, ceramic, or metal dishes will all work well.
• How do I prevent my casserole from drying out?
  The beef broth and not draining the diced tomatoes helps keep the casserole moist. Also, ensure you don’t overcook the noodles initially, and cover the casserole with foil for the first part of baking to lock in moisture. If reheating leftovers, add a splash of water or broth before microwaving or re-baking if it seems a bit dry.
• Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
  Yes! This casserole is very adaptable to adding extra vegetables. Sauté chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini with the onion and ground beef. You could also stir in a handful of fresh spinach during the last few minutes of the sauce simmering.
• Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
  Yes, it is! See the “Storage” section above for detailed freezing and reheating instructions. The key is to slightly undercook the noodles if you plan to freeze it.

What to Serve with Ground Beef Noodle Casserole

This hearty ground beef noodle casserole is a complete meal on its own, but a few complementary sides can elevate your dining experience. Here are some perfect pairings:

• Fresh Green Salad: A crisp, light green salad with a simple vinaigrette or your favorite salad dressing offers a refreshing contrast to the rich and savory casserole. The freshness helps cleanse the palate and adds a vibrant element to your meal.
• Warm Garlic Bread: Is there anything better than crispy, buttery garlic bread? It’s absolutely perfect for soaking up any remaining delicious tomato-meat sauce and adds a wonderful garlicky aroma and flavor that complements the casserole beautifully.
• Steamed Vegetables: For a healthy and colorful addition, lightly steamed vegetables like broccoli florets, tender green beans, or a medley of seasonal vegetables (carrots, peas, corn) provide essential nutrients and a nice textural balance without overpowering the main dish.
• Roasted Asparagus: Roasted asparagus spears, simply tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper, make an elegant and easy side dish that pairs well with the rich flavors of the casserole.
• Crusty Bread: Beyond garlic bread, any crusty bread, such as a baguette or Italian bread, is excellent for scooping up the savory sauce and can be a simple yet satisfying addition.

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Easy Ground Beef Noodle Casserole

This easy ground beef noodle casserole is a family favorite, made with egg noodles, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, parmesan, and mozzarella.

5 from 2 votes

Recipe by: Kelsey Smith

Prep time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook time: 35 minutes minutes

Total time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

• 9×13 baking dish
• Large pot
• Colander
• Large skillet
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board

Ingredients

  

• 12 ounces wide egg noodles
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with the liquid
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• ½ cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
• Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions, minus 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the onion over medium heat until the beef is cooked and the onion is translucent. Drain any excess fat.
• Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic salt, and pepper to the skillet and bring to a low boil over medium-high heat​. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
• Add the cooked noodles to the skillet with the beef and tomato mixture. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until everything is well combined.
• Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the mozzarella cheese.
• Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
• Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for at least 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When freezing this casserole, the noodles might get a bit softer after reheating. To keep their texture better, undercook them a little before freezing. This helps them not turn too soft when you warm the dish back up.

Nutrition

Calories: 482kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 29gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 788mgPotassium: 440mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 243IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 215mgIron: 3mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: casserole, ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce

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Important Food Safety Guidelines

Ensuring food safety is paramount when preparing any meal, especially those involving ground meat. Follow these guidelines to keep your kitchen and your family safe:

• Safe Internal Temperature: Always ensure that ground beef reaches a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat mixture to verify doneness. This temperature kills harmful bacteria.
• Prevent Cross-Contamination: Raw ground beef can harbor bacteria. Always keep it separate from other ingredients, particularly those that won’t be cooked, such as fresh vegetables or cheese. Use dedicated cutting boards and utensils for raw meat, and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and hot water, as well as all surfaces and tools, immediately after handling raw beef.
• Proper Storage: Refrigerate or freeze ground beef promptly after purchase. Do not leave raw ground beef at room temperature for more than two hours. Cooked casserole leftovers should be cooled quickly and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking.
• Reheating Leftovers: When reheating leftovers, ensure they are heated through to at least 165°F (74°C). Reheat once thoroughly and avoid multiple reheating cycles to maintain quality and safety.

For more comprehensive information and detailed guidelines on safe food handling and preparation, please refer to USDA.gov.