Description
This easy ground beef noodle casserole is pure cozy comfort in a pan tender egg noodles, savory beef, and a creamy tomato-mushroom sauce all baked under a blanket of melted cheddar. It comes together with simple pantry staples, feeds a crowd, and makes the perfect weeknight dinner or make-ahead meal for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional), no need to thaw
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft and translucent. Drain off any excess fat.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, cream of mushroom soup, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and combined, then let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- While the beef mixture simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until just al dente. Drain well.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles with the beef and sauce mixture. Add the milk and frozen peas (if using), then gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese is fully melted and lightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly for easier scooping.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef if you prefer a lighter casserole.
- If you like a saucier casserole, add an extra 1/4–1/2 cup of milk or a splash of beef broth to the mixture before baking.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days and reheat nicely in the microwave or covered in the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: ground beef noodle casserole,easy beef casserole,egg noodle bake,weeknight dinner,comfort food,cheesy beef pasta