Description
Looking for a cozy, satisfying, and crowd-pleasing dinner? This Beef Noodle Casserole is the answer! It’s a delicious mix of tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and melted cheddar cheese, all baked to golden perfection. Whether you’re after an easy dinner, a quick meal prep idea, or just craving a classic comfort food favorite, this dish hits every note. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or make-ahead meals—this easy recipe is a must-have in your dinner ideas list!
Ingredients
12 oz egg noodles
1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
15 oz tomato sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
½ cup sour cream or cream cheese (optional)
1 cup frozen peas or corn (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook until al dente, about 1–2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess grease.
3. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
4. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes to let the flavors develop.
5. In a large bowl, mix the cooked noodles with the beef sauce. Add half of the shredded cheddar and stir to combine.
6. Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread evenly and top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
7. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
8. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
For an ultra-creamy version, mix in ½ cup of sour cream or cream cheese with the beef and noodle mixture.
Undercook the noodles slightly to prevent them from becoming mushy after baking.
Grate your own cheese for better melt and flavor—pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: beef noodle casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, ground beef recipe, casserole recipe