Easy Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe: Cozy Family Comfort Food

Hearty beef noodle casserole brings comfort directly to your dinner table with its rich, satisfying layers.

This classic one-dish meal combines tender protein, pasta, and creamy sauce in a delightful culinary experience.

Home cooks love how quickly it comes together without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Warm and filling, the casserole changes simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece that makes weeknight dinners feel special.

Robust seasonings meld perfectly with soft noodles and succulent meat, creating a harmonious blend of tastes and temperatures.

Families and friends gather around this welcoming dish, eager to enjoy its homemade goodness.

Each forkful promises a delectable journey through familiar, nostalgic flavors that evoke memories of shared meals.

Why Beef Noodle Casserole Is the Classic You Forgot You Loved

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This casserole delivers a warm, satisfying meal packed with rich beef flavors and cheesy goodness that wraps you in cozy culinary comfort.
• Speedy Kitchen Triumph: Whip up this delicious one-pan wonder in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners when time is short and hunger is high.
• Crowd-Pleasing Simplicity: Layers of tender noodles, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheddar cheese create an irresistible dish that appeals to both kids and adults, guaranteeing clean plates and happy faces around the dinner table.
• Customizable Culinary Canvas: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping cheeses, adding vegetables, or experimenting with different seasonings to make this casserole uniquely yours while maintaining its delicious core.

What You’ll Need for a Hearty Beef Noodle Bake

• Egg Noodles: Classic pasta that provides the hearty foundation for the casserole, with a soft and satisfying texture.

• Ground Beef: Rich and flavorful protein that forms the main body of the dish, best when lean for less grease.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that add depth and savory notes to the meat, creating a robust flavor profile.

• Tomato Sauce: Smooth base that binds the ingredients and adds a classic Italian-style flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes: Fresh and chunky tomatoes that provide texture and additional moisture to the casserole.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that introduces authentic Mediterranean flavors to the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty topping that creates a golden, crispy layer with rich flavor.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright green color and light, clean taste to finish the dish.

• Olive Oil: Healthy fat for sautéing beef and vegetables, adding subtle flavor.
• Cooking Spray: Prevents sticking and helps with easy casserole removal.

How to Prep and Bake a Casserole That’s Rich and Filling

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Noodles

Crank up the oven to 400°F. Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring it to a rolling boil. Toss in the egg noodles and cook them according to the package instructions until they’re perfectly tender.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground beef into the pan and break it apart with a trusty spatula. Let it sizzle and brown for 4-5 minutes.

Step 3: Add Aromatic Vegetables

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Cook for another 5 minutes until the onions turn soft and translucent. The beef should be completely cooked through. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to make the flavors pop.

Step 4: Create the Sauce

• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Italian seasoning

Mix everything together until well combined and fragrant.

Step 5: Combine Noodles and Beef

Drain the cooked noodles and add them to the skillet. Gently toss everything together so each noodle gets coated with the delicious beef mixture.

Step 6: Assemble the Casserole

Coat a 9″x13″ baking dish with cooking spray. Pour in the beef and noodle mixture. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden blanket.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Pull the casserole out of the oven. Scatter some freshly chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve piping hot and watch everyone dig in with excitement!

Tips for Creamy Sauce and Tender Noodles

• Meat Maximization: Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
• Seasoning Secret: Layer additional herbs like basil or oregano for a more complex, restaurant-style flavor profile.
• Cheese Checkpoint: Experiment with cheese blends like mozzarella and cheddar for a richer, more dynamic topping.
• Texture Triumph: Slightly undercook noodles before mixing with beef to prevent mushiness during baking.
• Freshness Finale: Use fresh parsley instead of dried for a vibrant, garden-fresh garnish that enhances visual appeal and taste.

Storing and Reheating This Nostalgic Favorite

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled casserole to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out and ensure even heating. For quick single servings, microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Simple Sides That Go with Beefy Casseroles

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich beef and savory tomato sauce, enhancing the casserole's deep flavor profile.
• Serve with Crisp Green Salad: Create a light, refreshing side with mixed greens, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the hearty casserole and cut through its richness.
• Match with Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a crunchy texture contrast to the soft noodles and melted cheese.
• Cool Down with Pale Ale: Choose a hoppy craft beer or pale ale that offers a slightly bitter note to cleanse the palate between bites of the cheesy, meaty casserole.

Add-In Ideas to Update the Classic Flavor

• Spicy Southwest Beef Casserole: Add diced green chiles, jalapeños, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese. Sprinkle with taco seasoning for extra kick.
• Mushroom Swiss Beef Noodle Bake: Incorporate sliced mushrooms during beef cooking. Replace cheddar with Swiss cheese and add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for depth.
• Mediterranean Beef Pasta Casserole: Mix in crumbled feta cheese, sliced black olives, and dried oregano. Top with fresh chopped basil instead of parsley for Mediterranean flair.
• Creamy Beef Stroganoff Style: Replace tomato sauce with sour cream and cream of mushroom soup. Garnish with fresh chopped chives and use egg noodles traditionally used in stroganoff.

Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty beef noodle casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table with rich layers of ground beef, tender noodles, and melted cheese. Creamy sauce and crispy edges promise a satisfying meal that quickly becomes a family favorite for busy weeknights.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.25 pounds (1 ¼ lbs) lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) egg noodles, uncooked
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 16 ounces (453 grams) canned tomato sauce
• 15 ounces (425 grams) canned diced tomatoes, drained (petite cut preferred)
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to a scorching 400°F (200°C), preparing a welcoming environment for your culinary creation.
2. Submerge egg noodles into a generously salted boiling water bath, allowing them to dance and soften according to package guidance.
3. Simultaneously, awaken a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high flames, introducing ground beef to sizzle and fragment under a persistent spatula.
4. Usher chopped onions and fragrant garlic into the meaty landscape, letting them meld and soften while transforming the beef into a perfectly browned canvas.
5. Elevate the flavor profile by cascading tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning into the skillet, stirring with purpose to create a harmonious sauce.
6. Rescue the noodles from their watery realm, draining thoroughly, then integrate them into the robust beef mixture, ensuring each strand is lovingly coated.
7. Transfer the symphonic combination into a cooking spray-kissed 9″x13″ baking vessel, crowning the creation with a generous blanket of shredded cheddar cheese.
8. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing 10-15 minutes for the cheese to transform into a molten, bubbling masterpiece.
9. Extract the golden-topped dish, sprinkle with verdant parsley, and serve immediately to eager diners.

Notes

• Save time by cooking noodles and beef simultaneously to streamline the meal preparation process.
• Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier casserole version.
• Make ahead and refrigerate the casserole unbaked, then pop it in the oven when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
• Customize the dish by adding vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition and flavor variation.
• Opt for sharp cheddar cheese to enhance the overall taste and create a more robust cheesy topping.
• Freeze individual portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals that can be reheated easily.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg