Description
This Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole Dinner is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family meals. It combines seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, creamy sour cream and cottage cheese, all topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Easy to prepare and customizable, this casserole brings together simple ingredients into a flavorful bake that’s both satisfying and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
Dairy Mixture
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
Other
- 2 cups cooked pasta (elbow, penne, or egg noodles)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with the diced onion until the beef is browned and cooked through. Add the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning; cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Prepare Dairy Mix: In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream and cottage cheese until smooth and well mixed. This adds a creamy texture to the casserole.
- Layer the Casserole: In your prepared baking dish, spread half of the cooked pasta evenly. Top it with half of the meat sauce, then add the entire sour cream and cottage cheese mixture on top. Repeat by layering the remaining pasta and meat sauce evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the assembled layers to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese has melted and turned golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh touch.
Notes
- This casserole is highly customizable—feel free to add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the beef mixture for extra nutrition and flavor.
- It freezes well, making it an excellent option for meal prepping or leftovers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
