Simple Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

When you're craving a culinary lifesaver that'll transform your dinner from mundane to magnificent, the simple ground beef casserole is your ultimate kitchen companion. You'll discover a recipe so straightforward, it'll make weeknight cooking feel like a breeze, with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Want to know how this humble dish can become your family's new favorite? Keep reading to uncover the delicious secrets that transform basic ingredients into a comfort food masterpiece.

Recipe Highlights

• A simple ground beef casserole requires just 5 key ingredients: ground beef, macaroni, marinara sauce, cheese, and salt.
• Brown ground beef thoroughly in a skillet, cook macaroni al dente, and combine both in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Top the casserole generously with shredded cheddar cheese and bake until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
• This classic comfort food takes approximately 45 minutes to prepare and cook, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
• The recipe is highly adaptable, allowing for easy customization with additional vegetables, seasonings, or alternative cheese types to suit family preferences.

History

Although ground beef casseroles might seem like a modern convenience meal, they actually have deep roots in American culinary tradition. You'll find their origins trace back to early 19th-century home cooking, when resourceful cooks learned to combine affordable proteins with pasta and simple sauces.

Midwestern and rural families particularly embraced these one-dish meals as economical ways to feed large households. Casserole techniques evolved from traditional European cooking methods, with American home cooks adapting recipes to use readily available ingredients.

The dish gained massive popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, when convenience and efficiency became crucial in family meal preparation. Cookbooks and women's magazines frequently featured casserole recipes, transforming them into a quintessential American comfort food that bridged economic and cultural backgrounds.

Recipe

Ground Beef Casserole is a classic comfort food that brings warmth and satisfaction to any family dinner table. This simple yet delicious dish combines hearty ground beef, tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, and melted cheese into a single, irresistible meal that comes together with minimal effort.

Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this casserole offers a straightforward approach to creating a filling and flavorful dinner that both kids and adults will enjoy. The recipe requires just five ingredients and can be prepared quickly, making it an ideal solution for home cooks seeking a hassle-free meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt

Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F and preparing your ingredients. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, carefully draining any excess fat to ensure a clean, rich flavor.

While the beef is cooking, prepare the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions, being careful not to overcook.

In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the cooked ground beef, drained pasta, and marinara sauce, stirring gently to distribute the ingredients evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the mixture and season with salt.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.

When preparing this casserole, remember that pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so it's best to cook it just until al dente.

For added convenience, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking, though you'll need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by browning the ground beef thoroughly in a skillet, ensuring all pink is gone and excess fat is drained.

Next, cook your macaroni just until al dente, being careful not to overcook since it'll continue softening in the oven.

Once your beef is browned and pasta is ready, you'll combine these ingredients in a baking dish, top generously with shredded cheese, and bake until the top turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 1. Brown Ground Beef Thoroughly

Fire up your skillet and prepare to transform raw ground beef into a flavorful foundation for your casserole. Use a large skillet over medium heat, breaking the beef into small, uniform crumbles as it cooks.

Here's how to nail the perfect brown:

• Watch for color changes from pink to deep brown
• Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking
• Drain excess fat using a colander to keep the dish from becoming greasy

Keep an eye on the texture—you want small, crispy bits without burning. The goal is a rich, caramelized surface that'll add depth to your casserole.

Season with salt while cooking to enhance the meat's natural flavors. Don't rush; give the beef time to develop those delicious, golden-brown edges that'll make your dish irresistible.

Step 2. Cook Macaroni Al Dente

The perfect al dente macaroni is crucial for creating a casserole with ideal texture and mouthfeel.

You'll want to cook the pasta just until it's tender but still has a slight firmness when bitten. Boil your elbow macaroni in a large pot of generously salted water, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Follow the package instructions, but subtract 1-2 minutes from the recommended cooking time to ensure the pasta doesn't overcook.

Watch for these key indicators:

• Pasta should have a slight resistance when bitten
• Color remains vibrant and uniform
• Texture is smooth but not mushy

Drain immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

This technique prevents soggy pasta and maintains the perfect al dente consistency for your ground beef casserole.

Step 3. Combine Ingredients in Dish

After draining and rinsing your perfectly al dente macaroni, grab your 9×13 inch baking dish and prepare to layer the flavors of your ground beef casserole.

Spread the browned ground beef evenly across the bottom of the dish, creating a rich, meaty foundation. Next, carefully distribute the cooked macaroni over the beef, ensuring an even coverage that will allow each bite to capture both protein and pasta.

Pour the marinara sauce directly over the beef and pasta, using a spatula to gently distribute it throughout the dish.

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese across the top, covering the surface completely.

Finish by lightly seasoning with salt, which will enhance the overall flavor profile and tie the ingredients together before baking.

Step 4. Top With Cheese

Once your ground beef and macaroni mixture is evenly spread in the baking dish, you'll want to transform this simple casserole into a cheesy masterpiece by generously sprinkling the shredded cheddar across the entire surface.

Aim for complete coverage, ensuring every inch of the casserole gets a delicious cheese blanket. Use a light hand when distributing the 2 cups of shredded cheddar, creating an even layer that will melt perfectly during baking.

The cheese should cascade gently over the marinara-coated mixture, creating those irresistible golden-brown edges and bubbling patches that promise a rich, indulgent finish.

Sprinkle the teaspoon of salt over the cheese to enhance the overall flavor profile, adding a final touch of seasoning before sliding the dish into the preheated oven.

Step 5. Bake Until Golden Brown

With cheese expertly sprinkled across the casserole, you'll now transform this dish from simple ingredients to a golden-brown masterpiece.

Place your casserole in a preheated 350°F oven, ensuring the rack is centered for even heat distribution.

Watch closely during the 20-25 minute baking time, looking for key visual indicators of doneness: bubbling cheese edges, a slightly crispy top, and a uniform golden-brown color across the surface.

You'll want the cheese to melt completely, creating a smooth, glossy layer that blankets the beef and pasta.

When the casserole looks uniformly heated and the cheese has transformed into a tempting, slightly browned crust, it's ready.

Remove carefully using oven mitts, letting it rest for 5-10 minutes to set and cool slightly before serving.

Final Thoughts

Though ground beef casserole might seem simple, it's a versatile dish that can easily become a family favorite.

You'll find this recipe works wonderfully for busy weeknights, providing a hearty meal that comes together quickly and satisfies multiple palates.

Consider experimenting with different cheese blends, like mixing cheddar with monterey jack, or adding vegetables like diced bell peppers for extra nutrition.

The beauty of this casserole lies in its adaptability—you can customize it to match your family's preferences while maintaining the core comfort food experience.

Keep leftovers refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety.

With minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation, you'll master this classic dish in no time, creating a reliable go-to meal that'll have everyone asking for seconds.