If you’re looking for a weeknight hero that’s both comforting and crowd-pleasing, this Ground Beef Casserole just might become your new favorite. Featuring layers of savory beef, tender egg noodles, a creamy duo of sour cream and cottage cheese, and a golden blanket of cheddar, every bite delivers nostalgia and satisfaction. It’s one of those dishes that’s even better the next day, and the simple ingredients guarantee it’s easy on the cook, too. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or craving a taste of home, this Ground Beef Casserole will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ground Beef Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are humble pantry stars that shine when baked together, each lending a unique texture, richness, or color contrast to the casserole. Take a look — it’s all simple, everyday items that work in harmony to create something marvelous.

Ground Beef: Choose 80/20 for perfect juiciness and flavor, and don’t forget to drain the excess fat for a lighter result.
Onion: A small, chopped onion brings a subtle sweetness and depth to the beef layer.
Garlic: Two cloves, minced, wake up the whole casserole with their classic aromatic bite.
Salt: Just enough to enhance all the savory flavors without overpowering them.
Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and rounds everything out.
Italian Seasoning: Brings herby notes that pair delightfully with the tomato sauce.
Tomato Sauce: Use a can for ease; its tangy acidity balances the creamy layers beautifully.
Sour Cream: This adds a rich, slightly tangy creaminess to each bite.
Cottage Cheese: Don’t skip this—it’s responsible for the casserole’s signature creamy, custardy layer.
Egg Noodles: Cooked and drained, these generously soak up all the flavors.
Cheddar Cheese: Go for freshly shredded for the gooiest melt and sharpest flavor.
Fresh Parsley (optional): Chopped and sprinkled on top for a pop of color and freshness.

How to Make Ground Beef Casserole

Step 1: Sauté the Beef, Onion, and Garlic

Begin by heating up a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic, and cook it all together, stirring often, until the beef is nice and browned and the onion is soft. Once everything’s cooked through, be sure to drain off any excess grease to keep the casserole from getting oily.

Step 2: Season and Add Tomato Sauce

With the skillet still on the heat, sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until fragrant, then pour in the tomato sauce. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to allow those fabulous flavors to meld.

Step 3: Mix the Creamy Layer

In a separate bowl, stir together the sour cream and cottage cheese until smooth and thoroughly blended. This will be your luscious creamy layer — it’s what makes the Ground Beef Casserole so satisfying!

Step 4: Layer the Casserole

Grab a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, and start layering: half the egg noodles, then half the sour cream mixture, and half the beef mixture on top. Repeat with the second half of each, creating cozy, delicious layers. Finish by spreading the shredded cheddar cheese on top — you want every edge covered for maximum gooeyness.

Step 5: Bake

Cover the casserole dish with foil and slide it into your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven. Bake for 20 minutes; then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes. The cheese should be melted, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges. Let it cool for just a few minutes before serving — this helps the layers set up perfectly.

How to Serve Ground Beef Casserole

Garnishes

A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley really brings brightness and a touch of elegance to every slice of Ground Beef Casserole. For even more pizazz, try a little extra cracked black pepper or a dash of red pepper flakes if you like some heat. The contrast of green on golden cheese is always a crowd-pleaser at the table.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with a simple tossed salad — think crisp romaine, juicy tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness. For heartier appetites, serve with steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a side of garlic bread to sop up all the saucy goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving at a potluck or just want to dazzle your family, try portioning the Ground Beef Casserole with a large ice cream scoop or wide spatula for neat, even servings. Or bake individual portions in ramekins for personalized mini casseroles that look as cute as they taste. A drizzle of sriracha or dollop of extra sour cream is always a welcome finishing touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, leftover Ground Beef Casserole keeps very well in the fridge. Transfer slices to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap. It stays fresh for up to four days, and reheats like a dream — it’s a guaranteed lunchbox win!

Freezing

This casserole is perfect for freezing. If you want to make it ahead, assemble fully, but hold off on baking. Wrap tightly in several layers of plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding a little extra time until heated through.

Reheating

To reheat, simply pop a portion (or the whole casserole dish) in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, until it’s hot and bubbling — usually about 20 minutes for a full dish, or just a few minutes for a single serving. For the impatient crowd, the microwave works in a pinch; just cover your portion and heat in 1-minute bursts until piping hot.

FAQs

Can I substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef?

Absolutely! Both ground turkey and ground chicken work well in this recipe, though the flavor will be a bit lighter than classic beef. Just be sure to season generously to round out the taste.

Is there a way to make this Ground Beef Casserole gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap the regular egg noodles for your favorite gluten-free pasta. Make sure all other ingredients, like the tomato sauce and seasonings, are gluten-free as well.

What can I use instead of cottage cheese?

If you’re not a cottage cheese fan, ricotta cheese makes an excellent substitute. You can even try Greek yogurt for a tangier, higher-protein creamy layer.

Can I add vegetables to this Ground Beef Casserole?

Definitely! Feel free to add sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or even zucchini to the beef mixture to up the veggie content and add even more color and texture.

Do I have to use cheddar cheese on top?

Cheddar is classic, but you can also mix things up with mozzarella for extra gooeyness or use a blended cheese for a different flavor profile.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re as excited about this Ground Beef Casserole as I am! It’s simple, hearty, and sure to become a trusted staple on busy nights or cozy weekends alike. If you try it out, don’t be surprised if you find yourself coming back to this recipe again and again — your table will thank you!

Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Ground Beef Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that’s perfect for a family meal. Layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy cheeses, and tender noodles, all baked to cheesy perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Ground Beef Mixture:

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

Cheese Mixture:

1 cup sour cream
1 cup cottage cheese

Additional Ingredients:

8 oz egg noodles, cooked and drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet, cook beef, onion, garlic until browned. Drain excess grease. Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce. Simmer.
Prepare Cheese Mixture: Combine sour cream and cottage cheese in a bowl.
Layer Ingredients: In a greased baking dish, layer noodles, sour cream mixture, beef mixture, and cheddar cheese. Repeat layers.
Bake: Cover with foil, bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Let cool slightly, garnish with parsley if desired.