Name: Beef Pasta Bake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 700 g of ground beef.; 340 g of egg noodles.; 400 g of diced tomatoes, drained.; 200 g of shredded cheddar cheese.; 3 minced garlic cloves.; One small onion, finely sliced.; 600 ml of tomato sauce.; A couple of tablespoons of olive oil.; Salt and pepper, to your taste.; 1-2 tbsp of Italian seasoning.; 2 tbsp of garlic powder.; Some dried parsley to sprinkle on top.

A casserole dish filled with pasta, ground beef, tomato sauce, and melted cheese, served in a white container. | Tasteofsavor.com

This hearty beef and noodle casserole combines tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, and melted cheddar cheese into a comforting family meal. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining, this simple yet satisfying dish brings warmth to any dinner table.

What Makes This Casserole Special

The creamy texture and rich flavors make this casserole truly irresistible. It's a complete meal that saves time while delivering both comfort and nutrition. The combination of beef, noodles and cheese creates the ultimate satisfying dinner.

Key Ingredients

12 oz egg noodles: Cooked until al dente
2 tablespoons olive oil: For cooking
1.5 lbs ground beef: For heartiness
1 small onion: Finely diced
3 garlic cloves: Minced
2.5 cups marinara sauce: For the base
15 oz diced tomatoes: Drained
2 cups cheddar cheese: Freshly grated
Salt and pepper: To taste
2 tablespoons garlic powder: Divided
1-2 tablespoons Italian herbs: For flavor
Dried parsley: For garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F while preparing the casserole.
Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté diced onion and minced garlic for 2 minutes. Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper and half the garlic powder, then cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
Make the sauce: Stir in diced tomatoes and marinara sauce. Season with remaining garlic powder and Italian herbs. Simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors.
Combine with noodles: Add cooked noodles to the skillet and toss until well coated with sauce.
Layer the casserole: Transfer mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top evenly with grated cheddar.
Bake and serve: Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest briefly, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve hot.

A casserole dish filled with pasta, ground beef and melted cheese, garnished with tomatoes and parsley. | Tasteofsavor.com

Tips and Variations

Add sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms with the beef for extra vegetables. Try using a blend of mozzarella and gruyere cheese for different flavors. Leftovers reheat beautifully, making this perfect for meal prep.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this pasta bake ahead of time?: Absolutely! You can put everything together and store it in the fridge before adding cheese. Just sprinkle the cheese and bake it when you're ready, adding 5-10 more minutes to the cook time.
→ What kind of pasta should I use?: Egg noodles work great, but small pasta like penne or macaroni is also perfect. Just slightly undercook them so they don’t get too soft when baked.
→ How do I store leftovers?: Keep the leftovers sealed in a container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, pop it in the oven at 320°F for 15-20 minutes.
→ Is this casserole freezer-friendly?: Yes, you can freeze it for as long as three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and heat in the oven at 320°F for 25-30 minutes.
→ Can I switch out the cheese?: Of course! Try swapping cheddar for Swiss, Gouda, or a mix of shredded cheeses that melt well.

Beef Pasta Bake

A hearty pasta casserole loaded with ground beef, gooey cheese, and a flavorful homemade tomato sauce. Great for the whole family!

Prep Time

20 Minutes

Cook Time

35 Minutes

Total Time

55 Minutes

By: Alicia

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 6 Servings (One 23x33 cm casserole dish)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 700 g of ground beef.

02 340 g of egg noodles.

03 400 g of diced tomatoes, drained.

04 200 g of shredded cheddar cheese.

05 3 minced garlic cloves.

06 One small onion, finely sliced.

07 600 ml of tomato sauce.

08 A couple of tablespoons of olive oil.

09 Salt and pepper, to your taste.

10 1-2 tbsp of Italian seasoning.

11 2 tbsp of garlic powder.

12 Some dried parsley to sprinkle on top.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 175°C and let it warm up.

Step 02

Pour the olive oil into a big skillet and heat it up. Cook the garlic and onion in it for a couple of minutes. Toss in the ground beef, add some salt, pepper, and half of the garlic powder. Break it up as it cooks, and if there's excess grease, drain it out.

Step 03

Stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes into the skillet. Add in salt, pepper, the other half of the garlic powder, and the Italian seasoning. Mix it well and give it five minutes to simmer on low.

Step 04

Boil the egg noodles following the instructions on their packaging, then drain. Stir the noodles into the meat sauce. Take this mixture and place it in a greased 23x33 cm baking dish.

Step 05

Scatter the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the dish. Pop it in the oven for 20-30 minutes, long enough for the cheese to melt and turn golden.

Notes

You can prep this dish earlier and just reheat when ready to serve.

This is a great option for a homey family dinner.

Tools You'll Need

Oven.

Big skillet.

23x33 cm baking dish.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.

Eggs.
Dairy products.
Wheat gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Calories: 650
Total Fat: 28 g
Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
Protein: 42 g

Tasty Beef Pasta Bake