I love this Beef and Noodle Casserole because it’s a warm, comforting meal that comes together easily on busy nights. Tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, and melty cheese all bake together to create a dish that feels like a big, cozy hug on a plate.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I appreciate how this casserole balances rich flavors and simple ingredients. It’s versatile, filling, and perfect for feeding a family or prepping meals ahead of time. Plus, it uses pantry staples and comes together quickly without complicated steps—making it a go-to when I want something hearty and satisfying without fuss.
Ingredients
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12 oz egg noodles
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tbsp butter
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1 lb lean ground beef
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1 onion, finely diced
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1 bell pepper, finely diced
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2 tsp minced garlic
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Salt and black pepper to taste
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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½ tbsp soy sauce
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1 (14.5 oz) can roasted garlic and onion tomatoes (undrained)
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1 can cream of mushroom soup
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
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In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
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Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 4 minutes.
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Stir in Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, undrained tomatoes, and cream of mushroom soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for a few minutes to combine flavors.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles and beef mixture. Stir in half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
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Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining cheeses.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Servings and Timing
This recipe serves about 6 people. It takes roughly 10 minutes to prep, 20 minutes to cook the noodles and beef mixture, and 20 minutes to bake, totaling about 50 minutes from start to finish.
Variations
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For a make-ahead meal, I like assembling the casserole, covering it tightly, and refrigerating it until I’m ready to bake.
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To make it vegetarian, swapping ground beef for black beans works great and adds protein.
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I sometimes use all cheddar cheese for a sharper, tangier flavor instead of mixing mozzarella and cheddar.
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If I don’t have roasted garlic and onion tomatoes, I use plain diced tomatoes and add a little extra Italian seasoning to keep the flavor robust.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, I cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, but baking helps maintain the creamy texture best.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of noodle?
I have used rotini or penne instead of egg noodles, and it works just as well. Just cook them according to package instructions until al dente.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, this casserole freezes nicely. I usually assemble it but don’t bake it, then wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, I thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup?
If I don’t have cream of mushroom soup, I use cream of chicken soup or make a quick homemade cream sauce with butter, flour, and milk.
How can I make this casserole spicier?
Adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes when cooking the beef or stirring in a bit of hot sauce into the beef mixture gives it a nice kick.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, I swap the egg noodles for a gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup.
Conclusion
I find this Beef and Noodle Casserole is the perfect mix of comfort and convenience. It’s hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor, making it a dependable family favorite. Whether I’m cooking for a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this casserole never disappoints and always hits the spot.
Print
Beef and Noodle Casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A warm, comforting casserole combining tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, and melted cheese baked together for a hearty, easy-to-make family meal.
Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 1 bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz) can roasted garlic and onion tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
- Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 4 minutes.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, undrained tomatoes, and cream of mushroom soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for a few minutes to combine flavors.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles and beef mixture. Stir in half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining cheeses.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- This casserole can be assembled ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with black beans.
- Using all cheddar cheese gives a sharper flavor instead of mixing mozzarella and cheddar.
- If roasted garlic and onion tomatoes are unavailable, use plain diced tomatoes with extra Italian seasoning.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat in oven or microwave.
- Freeze unbaked casserole wrapped tightly for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before baking.
- To make gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and cream of mushroom soup.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicier casserole.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg