This 8-layer Casserole is a delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for busy weeknights or a special meal. It is loaded with layers of pasta, meat sauce, cheese, and vegetables, making it a complete meal in one dish!
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe irresistible
- What you’ll need: ingredients
- Creative variations to try
- Step-by-step guide: instructions
- Watch and learn: recipe video
- Essential equipment for this recipe
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
- Deb's tips for the perfect dish
- How to store leftovers
- More recipes you'll love
- Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- Eight-Layer Noodle Casserole Recipe
What makes this recipe irresistible
Eight-layer casserole is packed with protein, rich tomato sauce, tender pasta, and full of vegetables. So, it's an all-in-one meal that can be prepped ahead for busy weeknights. Plus, who can say no to a casseorle that is bursting with cheesy goodness?
What you’ll need: ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- egg noodles
- ground beef
- onion
- garlic
- marinara sauce
- ricotta or cottage cheese
- mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese
- frozen spinach
- canned diced tomatoes
- salt and pepper
- fresh basil or parsley (garnish optional)
Creative variations to try
- Out of ground beef? No worries, you can use ground turkey or even Italian sausage in this hearty casserole.
- You can use fresh chopped spinach instead of frozen spinach for this simple recipe.
- For a little extra flavor, you can add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or even crushed red pepper flakes to your ricotta mixture.
Step-by-step guide: instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Preheat the oven, spray the casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.
- Boil the egg noodles to al dente and drain well.
- Cook the ground beef with the diced onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the marinara sauce to the cooked beef and simmer.
- Now it’s time to build the casserole:
- Spread a thin layer of the sauce on the bottom of the pan.
- Top with half the egg noodles, and spread over half the ricotta.
- Add a layer of half the frozen spinach.
- Sprinkle with ½ cup of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup cheddar cheese.
- Add half of the diced tomatoes on top.
- Repeat layers with the remaining noodles, ricotta, spinach, and diced tomatoes.
- Finish with the remaining beef and marinara mixture, and cheese.
- Cover the casserole and bake at 350°F until hot & bubbly. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes to brown the top of the casserole.
Watch and learn: recipe video
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Essential equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Absolutely, just assemble the casserole and store it in the fridge covered in plastic wrap or aluminum foil until you are ready to bake it. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since the casserole will be cold.
Yes, you can use any type of pasta that you have on hand. I just like the way that the egg noodles taste in this hearty casserole.
Deb's tips for the perfect dish
When cooking the pasta make sure to check your package directions and cook the pasta until it's al dente. As, it will continue to cook in the oven, and you don't want mushy pasta.
- I've found that it's best to shred the cheese yourself, as it will give you the best cheese melt. It only takes a few extra minutes and it's worth it in my opinion.
- If you're using ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese, you can mix it with a small amount of milk if you want it to be easier to spread. Cottage cheese will spread easily for you without needing to thin it.
How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - Store your leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezer - This casserole can be frozen if you like to prep meals ahead. Freeze it wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and then store it in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheat - I like to reheat casseroles in the oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave single servings for 1-2 minutes or until warm all the way through.
More recipes you'll love
Does your family love pasta casserole recipes? I've got a few amazing casseroles you will want to add to your meal plan. So, check out this Johnny Marzetti Casserole, Ground Turkey Casserole, or Lazy Lasagna Casserole. Your whole family will love all of these casseroles.
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
There are so many different side dishes that pair well with pasta. I like to pair it with a simple salad and some garlic bread. And don't forget something sweet to end your meal! Click on the pictures below to take you right to these recipes!
Did you make this casserole recipe or do you have questions about it? I love hearing from you in the comments, so drop me a line and let me know what your thoughts are about this easy recipe.
Eight-Layer Noodle Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 10 ounce package frozen spinach thawed and squeeze out excess water.
- 1 can 15 oz diced tomatoes, drained
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray, set aside.
- Boil egg noodles according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat. Add diced onions and garlic. Cook until beef is browned and onions are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked beef mixture, and let it simmer for a few minutes to blend flavors. Set aside.
- Now it’s time to build the casserole:
- Layer 1: Spread a thin layer of the beef and marinara mixture on the bottom of a greased 9x13 casserole dish.
- Layer 2: Add half of the cooked egg noodles.
- Layer 3: Spread half of the ricotta over the noodles.
- Layer 4: Add a layer of half the frozen spinach (thawed and drained).
- Layer 5: Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup cheddar cheese over the spinach.
- Layer 6: Add half of the diced tomatoes on top.
- Layer 7: Repeat layers with the remaining noodles, ricotta, spinach, and diced tomatoes.
- Layer 8: Top with the remaining beef and marinara mixture, and sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Lois says
I made this and it was really easy to put together and it tasted just great. We loved it. Yum!!!!