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
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 16 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 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.
- Add the tomato sauce 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.
Regina says
Just tried it. Big hit with the entire family
Sara says
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!!
Katie says
I make this frequently but use tomato soup (3 cans) instead of sauce and velvetta cheese. Sounds a little gross but it is a Childhood meal that I still love and now my kids do too!
Sarah k says
Thank you! I wanted a noodle dish that wasn’t spaghetti and this fit the bill. I live in a camper and my oven is a little unreliable so I cooked this up in my instant pot, sauteing everything together and then adding the noodles at the end. I did add some better than beef bouillon to give it a little heartier beef flavor and a can of corn. Smells delicious, off to see if it passes the toddler test!
Sara says
Love the idea of using an Instant Pot, hope everyone enjoyed it!
Lindsey says
This was an easy meal for my 6 year old to put together. We added some kale for veges. Everyone seemed to like it. I like that it’s inexpensive and the littles are able to follow the directions too. We also have a large family and this recipe feeds everyone. Will definitely put it in the rotation.
Robin says
Do you drain the hamburger grease out before adding the other ingredients?
Sara says
I typically use 90% lean ground beef which has very little grease so I don’t drain that, but if you have excess grease in the pan, definitely remove it!
Megan Denney says
WOW! I followed the recipe to a T except used bowtie noodles. AMAZING flavor! Loved it and so did the husband!
Sara says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Dani Gannon says
I’ve made this recipe twice. The first time I followed the recipe as written and thats what I based my rating on. It was a fine recipe but I felt it lacked something. A month or so later I was looking for an easy casserole I could make for a busy night and saw this in my pins and decided to give it another try- I read through the comments and took a couple suggestions from them. I added a little sugar to the tomato sauce and also added a can of mild Rotel. I also used about half a cup of the cheese in the casserole and mixed it with the noodles and sauce and put the rest of the cheese on top. I also tasted and added more spices. Doing those things really made the casserole really good. I guess thats what I felt was missing. I plan on making it again tonight but as one comment mentioned using taco seasoning on the beef and making it a more Mexican style- I’m gonna use the Rotel again as well. I made spaghetti on Monday so making it Mexican will mix it up I feel. Thank you for the recipe.
Sara says
Glad you enjoyed it, I’ll have to try it that way!
Jen says
I made this for my husband and four year old son. They are both picky eaters. They loved this dish! My four year old “requests” it now 🙂
Sara says
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, thank you for reporting back!
Lori says
I didn’t have tomato sauce so I used spaghetti sauce and I didn’t have cheddar but I did have parm. Super easy and delicious! Thanks so much!
Sara says
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Vicky says
I don’t have egg noodles on hand. Bow tie pasta instead?
Sara says
Yes that will work!
Sharon @ What The Fork says
I made this for dinner tonight but used gluten free fusilli (Tinkyada brand) instead of egg noodles. I used three cloves of garlic and a pinch of sugar to cut the tin-taste from the tomato sauce. It was SO good and we’re not even casserole people. It’s definitely a keeper!
Sara says
Hi Sharon! 🙂 So glad you all enjoyed it, thanks for coming back to comment!
Basia Lynch says
I am going to make this with enchilada sauce and Mexican seasoning. Looks delicious!
Sara says
That sounds like a great idea!
Mark says
I make something very similar to this, except I add some sliced mushrooms and a handful of broccoli florets or cut up asparagus. And I use a large cast iron skillet that can go right in the oven to finish…. No need to dirty another casserole dish.
Sara says
Love the idea of adding veggies, I’m going to try that next time!
Irene says
Can this be cooked without the cheeses, frozen, then baked at 350 frozen (45minutes or so?), then add cheese and bake for another five plus minutes?
Sara says
I believe that would work, although I think the pasta will be a little mushier after it’s frozen then baked!
carolyn malkowski says
I WONDER IF THIS CAN BE MADE WITH WHITE SAUCE ? MY Son can’t have any red sauce Hum
Sara says
Yes that should be fine!
carolyn malkowski says
Thank you i will try it
Brittany Howell says
Added ground sausage to mine! DELICIOUS
Sara says
Love this idea! Thanks for reporting back!
Anazon says
I just made this tonight, my 17 year old son loved it! I can’t cook very well, but this was quick and easy! Very good instructions. Thanks!
Sara says
So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Lynn Clayton says
I wonder if you can put a can of mushroom soup in it?
Sara says
Yes that would be great!
Sommer says
This was excellent! So tasty and easy. Thanks!
Angela Pacheco says
I made this last night. I think that next time I make it, I will add more hamburger and tomato sauce. I may also substitute some Mexican spices, such as cumin, for the Italian ones.