Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Casseroles are a fantastic make-ahead option for families who are constantly on the go, and this beefy version is no different. With only 23 minutes of hands-on prep time, you can let the oven do all the heavy lifting in this hearty ground beef casserole that's perfect for a hectic weeknight or your next potluck dinner.

If you, however, find the total recipe time—clocking in just under an hour and 20 minutes—to be just a tad too long for your already busy day, don't worry about missing out. Prep it over the weekend and pop it in the freezer until the night before you're ready to serve. Just be sure to follow our Test Kitchen's make-ahead tip found at the bottom of the instructions.

Serve with a simple green salad and our tasty garlic bread for a dinner that's sure to be a fan favorite.

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole Ingredients

Casseroles like this ground beef recipe are known for their ability to use simple—and easy to substitute—ingredients, hands-off prep time, and freezer-friendly results. Here are some of the main ingredients used in casseroles with ground beef:

• Ground Beef: While this ground beef casserole asks for ground round, a type of ground beef derived from the beef round cut, not all recipes might be as specific. In that case, take the expert advice from our Test Kitchen is go with the best cut of ground beef you can get at your grocery store. For example, ground chuck's 20 percent fat content results in juicier cooked meat, while ground sirloin's 10 percent fat content means a ground beef that's heavy on the meatier texture.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes: Adding cans of seasoned tomatoes—chiles for some heat, and basil, garlic, and oregano for an Italian-leaning casserole—is a quick and cheap way to pack your beef casseroles with plenty of flavor.
• Egg Noodles: Acting very similar to pasta sheets for lasagna, egg noodles in this ground beef casserole give structure and serve as a binder for the meat and cheese sauce mixtures. Don't have any egg noodles on hand? This recipe is very forgivable and makes it easy to substitute for whatever pasta you do have in your pantry.
• Sour Cream and Cheese: The key to ground beef casseroles is to not skimp on the cheese, and this recipe shows you exactly how it's done. For a Tex-Mex flavor, you can swap out the cup of sharp Cheddar for a Mexican blend.

The Best Pasta for Ground Beef Casserole Recipes

As with most ground beef casserole recipes, this recipe is quite forgiving when it comes to substitutions, especially the type of pasta you may need. So if you don't have any medium egg noodles that this casserole calls for, you can easily swap them out for what you have in your pantry, including macaroni and penne pasta.

How to Make Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Twenty-three minutes of active preparation time are all you require to make this filling casserole recipe.

1. Brown the ground beef

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the meat changes color, remove it from the heat and drain it. Return it back and add in the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices. Let the mixture simmer for five minutes before setting it aside.

2. Prepare the noodles

Cook your egg noodles or noodles of choice according to the package directions. Drain well, but don't rinse. Add in the packages of cream cheese and sour cream, and mix until well combined.

3. Assemble the casserole

Lightly grease a 13- x 9-inch casserole dish, and spread the egg noodle mixture to the bottom. Layer with the ground beef mixture. Sprinkle the Cheddar, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses over the top.

4. Bake the casserole

Cover the casserole with foil, and bake as directed for 35 minutes. Bake uncovered for 5 more minutes until the cheese is melted and beginning to turn golden. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

How to Brown Ground Beef

Knowing how to cook ground beef is a valuable skill to have in the kitchen because it not only lets you make casserole recipes such as this one but also spaghetti, tacos, and soups.

Browning ground beef is easy once you know what you're doing. All you have to do is add your ground beef to a nonstick skillet—your cast-iron pan is ideal for this—over medium heat. Allow the bottom to start changing color for approximately 5 minutes before stirring the ground beef with a spoon.

Cook until the meat is no longer pink in color and the liquid has evaporated. According to the USDA, ground beef should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F. If you don't end up using the cooked meat in your casserole right away, refrigerate the ground beef immediately to prevent the growth of bacteria.

What to Serve with Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

With three types of cheese, sour cream and cream cheese, along with ground beef, diced tomatoes, and egg noodles, this ground beef recipe doesn't really need to be served with anything else.

However, if you'd like to pair this casserole with a side to round out your meal or Sunday supper, here are a few recipes we recommend trying:

• Corn Salad Recipes to Bring to Your Next Cookout
• 5-Ingredient Side Dish Recipes
• 52 Vintage Side Dish Recipes Grandma Always Had On the Table
• Lost Salads of the South

How to Store Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Casserole recipes are synonymous with leftovers, and this beef casserole one is no exception—it makes 6 servings, ensuring that you have plenty of hearty leftovers to last you through the week.

You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure to divide the casserole into single portion sizes and wrap it in aluminum foil before freezing.

Can I Freeze This Casserole for Later?

Casseroles like this homestyle beef casserole are freezer-friendly dishes, which allows you to make them ahead of time if required. So, if you want to freeze this casserole for later, you definitely can—all you will need to do is assemble the casserole and freeze it before baking. Then, when you're ready to bake it, thaw it in your fridge overnight. Let the casserole warm up for about 30 minutes before baking it as the recipe originally instructs.

Community Tips

"I used 'dumpling noodles' by Skinner. They are small squares with rippled edges and hold the cheese and sauce perfectly. The smaller noodles make it so easy to eat," says reviewer cookgirl.

"I followed the directions exactly except that my diced tomatoes were plain so I just added an extra half teaspoon of Italian seasoning," says reviewer Jeanie.

Editorial contributions by Christabel Lobo.