Creamy Beef Noodle Casserole Recipe

Creamy Beef and Noodle Casserole – seasoned ground beef and tender noodles in a flavorful Italian tomato sauce that’s baked until hot and bubbly! This is an easy casserole recipe and delicious make-ahead meal. Your budget will love it as much as your family does.

Why make this recipe (beyond the fact it’s delicious?). It’s affordable and easy to make. It uses easy ingredients that you have in your pantry and refrigerator. AND it freezes great! If you’re making make-ahead-meals, double the recipe and freeze the second meal.

On those days you don’t feel like cooking, you are set!

Jump to:

• 🛒 Ingredients
• ⏲️ Instructions
• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Recipe FAQ’s
• ✔️ Tips
• 🥣 Variations
• 🍳 Recipe
• Beef and Noodle Casserole

🛒 Ingredients

• egg noodles – I prefer egg noodles, but just about any type noodles would work! Rotini, penne even elbow macaroni – use what you have on hand.
• ground beef – I use 85% mix – it’s less expensive and frankly has more flavor. Just drain the excess fat, if desired.
• onion – sweet yellow or white onion
• Italian style diced tomatoes – fire roasted tomatoes would also be great. You can use plain diced tomatoes but I like the extra flavor from the seasoned tomatoes.
• shredded cheese – I used Colby Jack, but cheddar cheese would also be delicious!

⏲️ Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Cook the egg noodles and drain well, set aside.
2. Now it’s time to make the sauce. Add the olive oil to a large pan over medium heat. Brown the ground beef, breaking up the meat with a spatula. Cook for about 5 minutes.
3. Next add the onion and seasonings to the pan – cook until onion has softened and beef is completely cooked.
4. Now add the tomato sauce and canned tomatoes to the beef and onions and stir to combine.
5. Add the noodles back to the pan with the beef and toss. Add 2 cups of cheese, mix again.
6. Pour the mixture into a greased 9″x13″ baking pan, top with the remaining cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and the casserole is hot and bubbly.

🙋🏼‍♀️ Recipe FAQ’s

✔️ Tips

Be sure to cook the noodles to al dente. If you don’t, the noodles will get mushy after baking.

Use pre-shredded cheese to pull this meal together more quickly and you can really use any cheese you prefer.

🥣 Variations

• Add 2 cups of frozen corn or a package of frozen peas and carrots when you’re mixing all of the ingredients together – then you won’t even need to cook a veggie to go with this yummy beef and noodle casserole!
• A can of drained kidney beans will stretch this meal out a little further and be a delicious addition.
• Lighten it up by sub’ing ground turkey or chicken in place of beef.
• Toss in a packet of taco seasoning when you’re browning the beef for a whole new flavor! Use a Mexican cheese blend and wa-la – great casserole dish!
• No tomato sauce or chopped tomatoes? Use canned spaghetti sauce instead!

What to serve with Beef and Noodle Casserole?

Keep it simple and enjoy this meal with some dinner rolls and steamed green beans. And if you’re hungry for dessert, how about some Apple Spice Cake? Mmmmm!!!

More of my favorite one pot meals

Oh my goodness I have some tasty easy meals on the blog! If you like this meal, then you’ll be sure to love this recipe for Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole – all the flavor with none of the fuss!

Butternut Squash Ravioli is amazing and so flavorful! It’s fancy enough for company but easy enough for an everyday meal – it’s delicious and a hearty meal. Tuna Noodle Casserole is another classic easy dish that everyone loves!

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I would love it if you gave this recipe 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars!!

🍳 Recipe