Description
A comforting and hearty Beef Noodle Casserole featuring tender egg noodles combined with savory ground beef, marinara sauce, and a gooey mozzarella-cheddar cheese blend, baked to perfection for a delicious family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 3 cups uncooked egg noodles
Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 2 cups grated mozzarella cheddar blend (or cheddar only)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and position the oven rack in the top third to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the egg noodles for slightly less time than package instructions (about 1-2 minutes shorter), then drain thoroughly and transfer to a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Cook Beef Mixture: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and ground beef, breaking the beef apart while cooking until fully browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in minced garlic and optional crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional 30 seconds to release flavors.
- Drain Fat and Add Sauce: If there is excess fat from the beef, carefully spoon most of it out. Then add marinara sauce to the skillet and warm through on medium heat.
- Combine with Noodles: Pour the beef and sauce mixture over the noodles in the casserole dish. Add half the grated cheese on top and season with salt and pepper, then toss gently to combine and distribute evenly in the dish.
- Top and Bake: Smooth the casserole mixture into an even layer, then sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top. Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes until cheese has melted and casserole is heated through. Optionally, broil for 2-3 minutes while watching carefully to brown and crisp the cheese topping.
Notes
- To prevent overcooking noodles during baking, slightly undercook them when boiling.
- Using a lean ground beef helps reduce excess fat for a healthier dish.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes to taste for a subtle spicy kick.
- Broiling at the end adds a nice golden crust to the cheese—keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.