This beef noodle casserole is ground beef in a rich tomato sauce, tossed with egg noodles then topped with plenty of cheese and baked to perfection. An easy comfort food dinner that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
When I have a package of hamburger in the fridge, I often make this simple yet hearty beef casserole. It’s cheesy, kid friendly, and quick to whip up on a busy night.
I love a good casserole, and this beef noodle casserole is always on our regular dinner menu rotation. It’s a simple yet delicious combination of ground beef, tomato sauce, egg noodles and cheese. Put it all together and bake until melted and bubbly, then serve it to your family and watch the compliments roll in!
How to make beef noodle casserole
The first step to making beef noodle casserole is to brown some ground beef with onions and garlic. I use 90% lean ground beef, it’s got plenty of flavor but isn’t overly fatty. I cut the onions small so that my kids won’t even notice that they’re in this dish. After the beef is cooked, some seasonings and tomato sauce go into the pan.
While the beef is cooking, I boil my egg noodles. The noodles go into the pan with the beef and everything gets mixed together and spread into a baking dish.
The finishing touch is shredded cheddar cheese, and plenty of it!
I add a sprinkling of parsley at the very end, but that’s an optional step.
Can beef noodle casserole be made in advance?
Yes, you can make beef noodle casserole in advance. Simply prepare the beef and tomato sauce and toss it with the noodles, then cover and refrigerate. Right before you’re ready to bake your casserole, add the cheese and pop it in the oven. You’ll need to add about 10-15 more minutes to the bake time to compensate for the fact that you’re starting with a chilled casserole.
This beef noodle casserole is a great basic recipe that can be altered in different ways to be customized to your tastes. Some variations include using ground turkey instead of beef, adding more vegetables like peas or green beans, using macaroni instead of egg noodles and trying different types of cheese for the topping.
If you’re craving comfort food tonight, grab a container of ground beef and try this casserole, you won’t be disappointed.
More fabulous casserole recipes
- Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Beef Noodle Casserole Video
Beef Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 ounces egg noodles uncooked
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 1/4 lbs lean ground beef I use 90% lean
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- 16 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes drained, I prefer to use the small diced (petite cut) variety
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil; add the egg noodles and cook according to package directions. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- While the noodles are cooking, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spatula.
- Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until onion has softened and beef is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes and Italian seasoning to the beef and stir to combine.
- Drain the noodles and add to the pan with the beef; toss to combine.
- Pour the beef and noodle mixture into a 9"x13" baking pan that's been coated in cooking spray. Top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Morgan says
What Italian seasoning are you all using?
Sara says
This is what I use: https://www.spiceislands.com/product/italian-herb-seasoning
Jen says
I added a can of peas and crumbled bacon!! Amazing!!!
sammy Jo Reeder says
I loved this recipe and so easy to make! I like the smaller egg noodles,not the wide ones !
Elena says
Can you use aluminum foil bake pan and do you need cooking spray and what kind of cheese mild or sharp
Sara says
Yes you can use a foil baking pan and cooking spray, I typically use medium cheddar!
Katy says
What do I preheat the oven to to bake it?
Sara says
400 degrees F
Erin says
Can I make the day before for a potluck?
Sara says
Yes I’d assemble it the day before then bake the day of!
Steve Hughes says
I have made this for years using macaroni and everyone loves it but I started adding 1/2 Safeway chipotle salsa when I ran out of tomato sauce one time, and everybody really loved the added kick and chipotle flavor. Great recipe and so easy to make!
Curvelo says
The tomato sauce is that pasta sauce u used
Sara says
No it’s canned tomato sauce, but pasta sauce would work fine.
Trish says
Yummy! Added red chili flakes and my family ate it all up!
Pam Wilson says
I made this for the first time tonight and my family loved it … I will definitely be making this again .. it tastes great !!
Elizabeth says
Made this for dinner today . I had all of the ingredients but I only had chili tomatoes and Italian cheese . I used what I had . I added more garlic and Italian seasoning . It came out great ! My husband and I had two helpings we rarely eat anything that way . We are empty nesters . This gives us plenty for lunches for work . I give it a yummy in my tummy ! Thank for posting this .
Jessica says
I used this tonight and it was so good. I added red bell pepper and tomatoes to it also and it was amazing. I will definitely be cooking this again.
Carolyn says
Great recipe. Cooked it for a change from spaghetti bol ……..you can imagine my surprise when I started making it! It is actually spaghetti bol just with a different name 🤣
Sharon Crandall says
Will it ruin the recipe to leave out the diced tomatoes? Should I use more tomato sauce?
Sara says
It won’t ruin the recipe, you can omit if needed!
Beatrice says
Baked pasta is so nice for guests as it can be all ready to pop on the over. I really enjoy this dish and change up the cheese sometimes to mozzarella and top it with turkey pepperoni and call it pizza bake!
Barb says
Made this in the tiniest kitchen while on vacation. I brought a bag of egg noodles with us and found your recipe. We LOVED it… so tasty, just perfect for a yummy dinner in. No regrets not leaving our rental for a spendy dinner out.
Marie says
This was tasty and easy! I used ground turkey instead of beef and only one cup of cheese but added a little more sauce. Will definitely make again.
Peggy says
Would it be ok to leave off the cheese?
Sara says
You could do that, but in that case I’d add more tomato sauce because it could be a little dry without the cheese.
Dolores Delano says
Can l freeze this
Sara says
You can, although the noodles will soften up in the freezer, so as long as you’re ok with that it should freeze just fine.
Nicole says
I dont have egg noodles can ziti or rigatoni work?
Sara says
Yes either is fine!