This cheesy ground beef casserole is a comforting, hearty dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, tomato sauce, creamy sour cream, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese.
Everything comes together in one baking dish for an easy family meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The ground beef adds savory flavor, while the creamy sauce and melted cheese make every bite warm and satisfying.
It’s also an excellent make-ahead dinner and a delicious way to turn simple pantry ingredients into a filling homemade meal.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole
- Easy family dinner
- Simple everyday ingredients
- Rich and cheesy
- Hearty and filling
- Beginner-friendly recipe
- Great for busy weeknights
- Make-ahead friendly
- Delicious leftovers
- Easy to customize
- Freezer-friendly
Ingredients
For the Beef Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 can tomato sauce, 15 ounces
- 1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni or rotini
- 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water
For the Creamy Layer
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Topping
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
How to Make Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the pasta and cook until just shy of al dente according to the package directions.
The pasta will continue cooking in the oven, so avoid making it too soft.
Drain well and set aside.
3. Brown the Ground Beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon.
Cook until browned and fully cooked.
Drain excess grease if necessary.
4. Add the Onion and Garlic
Add the diced onion to the skillet.
Cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Make the Tomato Beef Sauce
Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
Stir in Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cook for about 5–7 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together.
6. Prepare the Creamy Cheese Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
Mix until smooth and creamy.
A few small lumps of cream cheese are fine.
7. Combine the Pasta and Beef Sauce
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef sauce.
Gently stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
8. Assemble the Casserole
Spread half of the beef and pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Spread the creamy cheese mixture over the pasta as evenly as possible.
Add the remaining beef and pasta mixture.
9. Add the Cheese Topping
Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top.
Make sure the cheese reaches close to the edges for delicious golden-brown spots.
10. Bake
Cover the casserole loosely with aluminum foil.
Bake for approximately 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden.
For a darker golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes while watching carefully.
11. Rest
Remove the casserole from the oven.
Allow it to rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
This gives the creamy layers time to settle and makes the casserole easier to portion.
12. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top.
Spoon the casserole onto plates and serve warm.
What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?
Lean ground beef works especially well because it provides plenty of flavor without releasing too much grease.
Ground beef around 85–90% lean is a good choice.
If using higher-fat ground beef, drain the excess grease after browning.
Can I Use Different Pasta?
Yes.
Short pasta shapes work best.
Good choices include:
- Elbow macaroni
- Rotini
- Penne
- Ziti
- Shells
- Cavatappi
The important thing is to cook the pasta just until al dente.
Can I Make This Casserole Without Sour Cream?
Yes.
You can replace sour cream with plain Greek yogurt or additional cream cheese.
Greek yogurt will give the casserole a slightly tangier flavor while keeping it creamy.
Can I Add Vegetables?
Absolutely.
This casserole is easy to customize with vegetables.
Try adding:
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Zucchini
- Corn
- Broccoli
- Diced carrots
Sauté vegetables with the onion before adding the beef sauce.
Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole Variations
Mexican-Style Ground Beef Casserole
Replace the Italian seasoning with taco seasoning and use cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
Add corn and black beans for extra flavor.
Ground Beef Taco Casserole
Add taco seasoning, salsa, black beans, corn, and cheddar cheese.
Top with sour cream and fresh cilantro after baking.
Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole
Replace the pasta with thinly sliced or diced potatoes.
Make sure the potatoes are partially cooked before assembling.
Beef and Mushroom Casserole
Add sautéed mushrooms to the ground beef mixture.
Spicy Ground Beef Casserole
Add diced jalapeños and extra red pepper flakes.
Use Pepper Jack cheese for more heat.
Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
Add cooked crumbled bacon and use cheddar cheese for a cheeseburger-inspired version.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Yes.
Assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
Because the casserole starts cold, it may require additional baking time.
For the best results, remove it from the refrigerator while the oven preheats.
Can I Freeze Ground Beef Casserole?
Yes.
Allow the baked casserole to cool completely before freezing.
Transfer portions to freezer-safe containers or freeze the entire casserole in a freezer-safe baking dish.
Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftovers to cool before placing them in an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
How to Reheat the Casserole
For individual portions, microwave until heated through.
For a larger portion, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven.
Add a small splash of water or tomato sauce if the pasta appears dry.
How Do I Keep the Casserole From Drying Out?
Don’t overcook the pasta before baking.
Make sure the pasta is well coated with sauce.
Cover the casserole during the first part of baking and uncover it only toward the end to brown the cheese.
Can I Use Pre-Shredded Cheese?
Yes.
However, freshly shredded cheese generally melts more smoothly because it doesn’t contain as many anti-caking ingredients.
What to Serve With Ground Beef Casserole
This hearty casserole pairs well with simple sides such as:
- Green salad
- Garlic bread
- Roasted broccoli
- Steamed green beans
- Caesar salad
- Garlic knots
- Roasted vegetables
A fresh green salad and garlic bread make an easy complete dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes. Ground turkey is a good substitute for ground beef.
Can I use cottage cheese?
Yes. Cottage cheese can replace some or all of the creamy cheese mixture.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. Use gluten-free pasta and verify that your sauces and seasonings are gluten-free.
Can I make this spicy?
Yes. Add red pepper flakes, jalapeños, or Pepper Jack cheese.
Can I use mozzarella instead of cheddar?
Yes. Mozzarella gives the casserole a milder flavor and excellent cheese melt.
Why is my casserole watery?
Excess moisture can come from the tomatoes, vegetables, or under-drained pasta. Drain ingredients well and avoid adding unnecessary liquid.
Recipe Card
Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni or rotini
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/4 cup Parmesan
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta until just shy of al dente.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet.
- Add onion and cook until softened.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and seasonings.
- Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Mix sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar, and Parmesan.
- Combine cooked pasta with the beef sauce.
- Layer half the pasta mixture in the baking dish.
- Add the creamy cheese layer.
- Add remaining pasta mixture.
- Top with cheddar and Monterey Jack.
- Cover and bake for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes.
- Rest for 10 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.