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Joe Rooney

Simple Ground Beef Casserole Recipe: Easy and Delicious

This Simple Ground Beef Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish that combines tender penne pasta with savory ground beef and marinara sauce, topped with gooey cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick family dinner, this recipe is a great example of Easy Beef Rice Casserole Cheesy and includes elements of Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole Veggies and Ground Beef Rice Casserole Creamy. For a rustic twist, it shares comforting qualities with Cowboy Ground Beef Casserole Tots.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound uncooked penne
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1.5 cups marinara sauce
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Method
 

  1. Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place the rack in the center. Lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne for about 10 minutes, ensuring it remains slightly firm to avoid mushiness.
  3. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat, then add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook for around 10 minutes, breaking the meat apart as it browns. Stir in the minced garlic partway through cooking. Remove some excess fat if necessary.
  4. Add the marinara sauce to the skillet and heat through. Taste and season with salt and pepper as preferred.
  5. Drain the cooked pasta and transfer it to the prepared baking dish. Pour the beef sauce over the pasta and gently mix until evenly combined.
  6. Sprinkle an even layer of shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole. For extra cheesiness, mix in an additional half cup of cheese before topping.
  7. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes until the cheese melts thoroughly. Optionally, switch to the broiler for a few minutes to get a golden, bubbly cheese crust. Serve hot.

Notes

  • This casserole is very adaptable: feel free to swap or add ingredients to suit your taste. For more tips and variations, check the blog post or find this recipe in chapter 6 of the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials hardcover cookbook.