I am excited to share my version of Beef Noodle Casserole, a dish featuring ground beef simmered with fresh diced onions, minced garlic, and a hearty tomato sauce. It pairs perfectly with tender egg noodles and a generous topping of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. I can’t wait for you to try it.

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I recently tried my hand at a beef noodle casserole that really surprised me. I started with 1 lb of ground beef sizzled in a pan until it browned, then threw in a diced onion and minced garlic to build that deep flavor.

Once the meat was ready, I stirred in two cans of tomato sauce, a can of tomato paste and a cup of beef broth, along with a teaspoon each of dried basil and oregano, letting it simmer until the flavors melded. I then mixed in 12 oz of egg noodles so every bite feels hearty.

After layering it in a casserole dish, I generously crowned the dish with a mix of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese and added a pinch of salt and pepper, plus a dash of red pepper flakes for those who like a little extra kick. This recipe really pushes the boundary of classic comfort food and brings a fresh twist to your dinner table.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this beef noodle casserole because it just feels like comfort food at its best. First, the mix of tender noodles, rich tomato sauce, and hearty ground beef makes it super filling and satisfying, like it warms you up from the inside out. Second, the recipe is really easy to follow even if you’re not a master cook, which means I can whip it up on busy nights without too much fuss. Third, I love the cheesy topping that melts perfectly over everything – it gives the dish that extra burst of flavor that makes every bite a treat. Lastly, I kind of dig the way the spices like basil and oregano blend together with the garlic and optional red pepper flakes, adding a little kick without being overwhelming. Overall, it’s a dish that always brings me comfort and a big smile.

Ingredients

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Ground beef gives hearty protein and flavor although its a bit fatty sometimes.
Egg noodles supply necessary carbs and soak up the savory tomato sauce nicely.
Tomato sauce adds tangy sweetness and vitamins, giving the dish brightness and zest.
Garlic brings bold aroma and health benefits though it can sometimes overpower subtle flavors.
Shredded cheese, a mix of mozzarella and cheddar, melts into a creamy topping.
Onions provide fiber and natural sweetness that balances out the rich meat flavor.
Beef broth adds moisture and enhances savory notes for a deeply flavorful casserole.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb ground beef

12 oz egg noodles

1 medium onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

1 cup beef broth

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups shredded cheese (a mix of mozzarella and cheddar works best)

Optional: red pepper flakes for a little extra kick

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions until theyre al dente, then drain and set them aside.

2. In a large oven-safe skillet or pan, brown the 1 lb of ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s no longer pink.

3. Add the diced onion to the beef and cook until it softens, then stir in the minced garlic (and red pepper flakes if you want a little kick).

4. Mix in the 2 cans of 15 oz tomato sauce and the 6 oz can of tomato paste; stir until everything is well combined.

5. Pour in 1 cup of beef broth and sprinkle in 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, and add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 5-7 minutes so the flavors can blend together.

7. Now fold in the cooked egg noodles until theyre evenly coated with the beef and tomato sauce.

8. Transfer the noodle and beef mixture to a casserole dish if you didnt use an oven-safe skillet.

9. Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheese (using a mix of mozzarella and cheddar works best) evenly over the top.

10. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then let it cool a bit before serving. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven for baking at 375°F
2. Large pot to cook the egg noodles
3. Colander for draining noodles
4. Oven-safe skillet or pan to brown the beef and simmer the sauce
5. Casserole dish (if not using an oven-safe skillet)
6. Cutting board and knife for dicing the onion and mincing the garlic
7. Spoon or spatula for stirring and mixing the ingredients
8. Measuring cups and spoons for the broth, tomato sauce, and spices

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different meat instead of ground beef?

Yeah, you can use ground turkey or even chicken if you prefer. Just know that it might change the overall flavor a bit.

Q: How do I prevent the noodles from getting mushy?

To avoid mushy noodles, cook them just shy of al dente as they'll continue to cook in the casserole, stay on top of the directions.

Q: Can I prepare the casserole ahead of time?

Sure thing, you can assemble it ahead and then bake just before serving; if u do, keep it covered in the fridge and add a few extra minutes to the bake time.

Q: How spicy is this dish if I add red pepper flakes?

If you like a bit of heat, a pinch or two of red pepper flakes will give you that kick without overpowering everything. Adjust as needed.

Q: What cheese works best in this casserole?

A mix of mozzarella and cheddar is perfect but feel free to experiment with your favorite melts if that's what you have on hand.

Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe Substitutions and Variations

You can swap out the ground beef with ground turkey or even ground pork if you wanna try something a bit different.
If egg noodles are hard to find, try using spaghetti or penne – they work just as well in this dish.
If you dont have tomato sauce on hand, you can use crushed tomatoes instead, just be sure to adjust the liquid a bit.
Instead of beef broth, chicken or vegetable broth will do the trick and still keep the flavor going strong.

Pro Tips

1. Try cookin ya ground beef on a high heat pan to get a nice browning, but be sure to break it up well so every piece gets cooked correctly.
2. Make sure you dont overcooked the egg noodles; al dente is the goal so they hold up when mixed with the sauce.
3. Taste and adjust the flavour after simmering the sauce a bit; sometimes a pinch more garlic or extra salt can make a world of difference.
4. When adding the cheese, dont be afraid to use a little extra if youre a real cheese lover, it really helps to form a nice, bubbly crust on top.

Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe

Recipe by Dave Simpson

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

510

kcal

Equipment: 1. Oven for baking at 375°F
2. Large pot to cook the egg noodles
3. Colander for draining noodles
4. Oven-safe skillet or pan to brown the beef and simmer the sauce
5. Casserole dish (if not using an oven-safe skillet)
6. Cutting board and knife for dicing the onion and mincing the garlic
7. Spoon or spatula for stirring and mixing the ingredients
8. Measuring cups and spoons for the broth, tomato sauce, and spices

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
12 oz egg noodles
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups shredded cheese (a mix of mozzarella and cheddar works best)
Optional: red pepper flakes for a little extra kick

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375°F and cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions until theyre al dente, then drain and set them aside.
In a large oven-safe skillet or pan, brown the 1 lb of ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s no longer pink.
Add the diced onion to the beef and cook until it softens, then stir in the minced garlic (and red pepper flakes if you want a little kick).
Mix in the 2 cans of 15 oz tomato sauce and the 6 oz can of tomato paste; stir until everything is well combined.
Pour in 1 cup of beef broth and sprinkle in 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, and add salt and pepper to taste.
Let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 5-7 minutes so the flavors can blend together.
Now fold in the cooked egg noodles until theyre evenly coated with the beef and tomato sauce.
Transfer the noodle and beef mixture to a casserole dish if you didnt use an oven-safe skillet.
Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheese (using a mix of mozzarella and cheddar works best) evenly over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then let it cool a bit before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.