Classic Ground Beef Casserole

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🥘 Classic Ground Beef Casserole

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Servings: 6

⭐ Ingredients

For the beef mixture

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce OR crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella
  • ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese (makes it creamy)

Casserole Base (choose one)

  • 3 cups cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or macaroni)
    OR
  • 3 cups cooked rice
    OR
  • 3 cups diced, boiled potatoes

Topping

  • 1–2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
  • Chopped parsley or green onions (optional)

🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the ground beef

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
  3. Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper.
  4. Cook 3–4 minutes until onion softens.
  5. Season with:
    • salt
    • pepper
    • paprika
    • Italian seasoning
    • chili flakes

2. Make the sauce

  1. Reduce heat to medium.
  2. Add tomato sauce, broth, and Worcestershire.
  3. Stir in sour cream or cream cheese to make a creamy sauce.
  4. Add 1 cup of shredded cheese and melt into the sauce.
  5. Simmer 5 minutes.

3. Combine with base

In a large bowl or right in the skillet, combine the beef sauce with your chosen base:

  • cooked pasta or
  • cooked rice or
  • cooked potatoes

Mix until everything is coated in sauce.

4. Assemble the casserole

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Spread the mixture into a greased casserole dish.
  3. Top generously with shredded cheese.

5. Bake

  • Bake 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Optional: broil 2 minutes for golden brown topping.

6. Serve

Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with parsley or green onion.

Serve with salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables.

💡 Variations

Mexican-Style

  • Add taco seasoning
  • Use black beans & corn
  • Top with pepper jack

Creamy Mushroom

  • Add 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • Add sautéed mushrooms

Low-carb version

  • Replace pasta/rice with cauliflower florets

Extra veggie

  • Add carrots, peas, spinach, zucchini

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