I've heard, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." I've found it to be true with Dan 🤣. And you know what? I'm betting your hubby, family, and friends will love the Husband's Delight Casserole too! It's packed with comforting flavors and loads of cheesy, meaty pasta!
It's a hearty and delicious meal that will not only warm hearts but fill the hungriest stomachs! You might just turn this "husband's delight" into the entire family's favorite dinner.
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What makes this a winner
I'm a big fan of beef stroganoff or lasagna recipe in a rich tomato sauce. I like that ooey, gooey cheese stretch, and this is all that is rolled into one!
Last time I made it, it was when we had a family with kids over, so I can officially say it was kid tested and family approved!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- ground beef - though you can use ground turkey, Italian sausage, ground turkey or chicken if you'd prefer.
- onion and fresh garlic
- dried Italian seasoning, salt and pepper
- store-bought pasta sauce
- pasta water
- penne pasta, rigatoni, or egg noodles. You can use your pasta of choice.
- mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Preheat the oven. Prep the baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the pasta to al dente. Drain and set aside. Reserve a cup of pasta water.
- Brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté until the onion is soft.
- Season the beef mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add the pasta sauce to the skillet with the beef mixture and simmer.
- Combine the pasta, beef, and sauce mixture in a large mixing bowl. Mix to combine.
- Layer half of the pasta/sauce mixture in the casserole dish. Sprinkle with half of the cheese.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the remaining cheese.
- Bake until hot and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
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Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9"x13" casserole dish
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FAQ's
Sure thing! If you have egg noodles on hand, their mild flavor and soft texture will work just fine in this great recipe.
Any store-bought jar of marinara sauce will do the trick! We add meat and other flavoring ingredients so feel free to pick one that's budget-friendly or splurge and make homemade marinara sauce.
Nope! You have a couple of different protein options, including sweet Italian sausage, ground turkey, or ground chicken. You can even make a vegetarian pasta bake by omitting the meat altogether.
Nope! Though husband's delight casserole is sort of like lasagna, it's more of a baked pasta dish. So, we don't use ricotta, cottage cheese, or a sour cream mixture like some layered pasta dishes do. The cheesiness in this recipe comes from a combination of mozzarella and parmesan-and it couldn't be more delicious!
Yes! Pasta dishes are great candidates for freezing, especially hearty ones like this. Prepare it in an aluminum baking pan and cover tightly. It'll keep in the freezer for about three months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake it as directed!
Absolutely! Prepare husband's delight casserole as directed, covering the casserole dish with foil before the baking step. Refrigerate it for up to two days. Let it sit at room temperature while the oven preheats to take the chill off the glass, then uncover, bake, and enjoy!
Top Tip
Be sure to cook the pasta al dente-no more! The layers of noodles will continue to cook during baking, so you don't want them to be mushy.
- For a punchier garlic flavor, feel free to add a teaspoon of garlic powder or garlic salt. You can use homemade Italian seasoning or a blend from the grocery store. I like to add red pepper flakes, too, for a touch of spice.
Variations
Then, if you would like more texture in the meat sauce (or want to sneak in some veggies), add chopped red bell peppers, mushrooms, or diced zucchini along with the onions.
Storage
Refrigerate-Either cover the baking dish in plastic wrap or store leftovers in an airtight container. They'll keep for up to four days.
Freezer-Freeze leftovers or the whole casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
Reheat-Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Then, reheat refrigerated leftovers in the microwave in 30-45 second bursts until heated through.
Related recipes
- Ravioli Casserole is a fun spin on a classic Italian recipe that is so easy to prep and perfect for small weeknight dinners or big family reunions!
- Few people can resist a good chicken parm-this Chicken Parmesan Casserole is both delicious and the easiest meal ever to throw together.
- Everyone loves cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole, especially since you can cut down prep time by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken!
Serve with
- Husband's delight casserole just wouldn't be complete without a side of crispy Garlic Bread to sop up all the leftover sauce!
- This Chop Salad with a Light Vinegrette is a fresh, crisp dinner side that perfectly complements any hearty pasta meal.
- Before you settle down for the night with a glass of red wine, enjoy a slice of this rich and divine Chocolate Hershey Pie.
Rich, cheesy and delicious I think you'll enjoy this yummy meal! Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below.
Husbands Delight Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 32 ounces store-bought pasta sauce about a jar and a half.
- ½ cup pasta water
- 1 pound pasta penne, rigatoni, or your choice
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Season the beef mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Pour the entire jar of pasta sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the beef and sauce mixture in a large mixing bowl. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated. It should be good and saucy! If needed add the pasta water a ¼ cup at a time. Again, you want it to be saucy, not dry.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the pasta.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the rest of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy the cheesy deliciousness!
L says
This looks great and so easy will be a wonderful meal. Looking forward to making it.