🥘 Grandmother’s Classic Ground Beef Casserole
Grandmother’s Classic Ground Beef Casserole is the kind of comforting meal that brings back memories of family dinners around the kitchen table. Made with seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, a creamy tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese, this old-fashioned casserole is simple, hearty, and incredibly satisfying. It’s an affordable, make-ahead meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or feeding a hungry family.
📝 Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1 pound (450 g) lean ground beef
- 12 ounces (340 g) egg noodles or elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Topping
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
👩🍳 Full Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles or macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles until fully browned. Drain any excess grease.
Season with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the tomato sauce, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and Worcestershire sauce.
Mix until smooth and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend into a rich, creamy sauce.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Combine the cooked pasta with the beef mixture and stir until evenly coated.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Step 5: Bake
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.
For a crispier top, broil for the final 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Allow the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving so it holds together when sliced.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This comforting casserole pairs wonderfully with:
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls
- Steamed green beans
- Roasted carrots
- Garden salad
- Coleslaw
- Buttered corn
💡 Tips for the Best Ground Beef Casserole
- Cook the pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t become too soft during baking.
- Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Add mushrooms, peas, or diced bell peppers for extra vegetables.
- Assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
⏱️ Recipe Summary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Rest Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 6–8
Grandmother’s Classic Ground Beef Casserole is a timeless comfort food recipe filled with tender pasta, savory beef, creamy sauce, and melted cheese. Easy to make and full of homemade flavor, it’s the perfect family meal for any occasion and one you’ll want to make again and again. 🥘🧀🥩🍽️