Ground Beef Casserole
Ground Beef Casserole made with an aromatic blend of spices, beef, tomatoes and some good ole’ cheese. A great meal that the whole family will rave about. Cheesy, meaty goodness that is super easy to make!
Sometimes you just want a quick and casual dinner. When that is the case, what is better than a casserole? You assemble, bake it and serve it right out of the dish you cooked it in. Nice, right?
You can use a baking dish or a cast iron skillet. Trust me, either way works absolutely fine!
This Ground Beef Casserole is definitely going to be one of your soon-to-be faves. I took this Trinidad Macaroni Pie here and give it a little twist. And if you love that one, you’re going to go crazy for this one.
What’s not to love? It is cheesy, meaty goodness with pasta! That combination is mouthwatering enough but baking it in the oven creates this golden brown topping making it even tastier. You can throw in some breadcrumbs too if you like. Or triple the amount of cheese. Yesss, more cheese! No judgement here. Whatever floats your boat!
Okay, the thing is, this recipe goes beyond pasta, meat, and cheese. It begins with an aromatic base of sautéed onions, garlic, thyme, which enhances the other ingredients and gives the casserole depth of flavor. And it ends in a golden brown cheesy goodness.
Oh boy!!! What more could you ask for?
As for what is in the middle, there is beef and pasta of course. In this recipe you do not have to use any cheese sauce. Just some evaporated milk.
With every bite, you’ll get a nice beefy flavor paired with an addictively delicious note of cheese, some spice and vegetal hints throughout. Savor every bite!
Enjoy!!!
Watch How to Make It
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Tips and Notes:
- Try to slightly undercook the pasta since you will bake the casserole. Drain the pasta when it still has some bite because it will finish cooking in the oven.
- You can easily switch the type of pasta to use in this recipe. Bowtie pasta, penne or elbow macaroni works fine.
- Adjust the amount of jalapenos especially when you’re sharing this with the little ones.
- You can either use fresh diced tomatoes or canned.
- Do not confuse evaporated milk with condensed milk. For 1 cup of evaporated milk, you can substitute it by simmering 2 1/4 cups of regular milk (any fat level would do) until it becomes 1 cup OR replace it with 3/4 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup half-and-half (blend of equal parts whole milk and light cream).
- For those who have dairy intolerances, you may use almond milk as a substitute for evaporated milk.
- You can throw in some breadcrumbs as toppings.
Ground Beef Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked Fusilli or Macaroni (see notes)
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 Teaspoons Fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon jalapenos pepper minced seeded
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 cup finely diced onion
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cup diced tomatoes see notes 4
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 4 ounce or more mozzarella cheese grated
- 4 ounce or more sharp cheddar cheese grated
- Salt Creole preferably(adjust to taste)
- 1/2 - 1 teaspoon white pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Be sure to salt water before cooking.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan, sauté the garlic, thyme, Jalapeno pepper, smoked paprika for about 1 minute in 2 tablespoons butter.
- Then add onions and continue cooking for about a minute more.
- Add beef salt and pepper. Cook, stirring until the meat is no longer pink or red.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over the beef mixture and cook for a minute or two.
- Add in the tomatoes and continue to cook for about 2-3 minutes. Throw in pasta and milk. Cook for another 1 or two until the ingredients have been fully incorporated. Adjust seasonings salt pepper
- Stir in more than half of the cheese (leave the rest to sprinkle on top)
- Transfer to a greased 2-quart baking dish or 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, at 350° F for about 20 -30 minutes or until casserole is heated through. And top is slightly brown.
- Remove then let it rest for a few minutes and serve when it is still piping hot.
Nutrition Information:
How To Make Ground Beef Casserole
Cook pasta according to package directions. Be sure to salt water before cooking.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan, sauté the garlic, thyme, jalapeno pepper, smoked paprika for about 1 minute in 2 tablespoons butter. Then add onions and continue cooking for about a minute more. Add beef salt and pepper. Cook, stirring until the meat is no longer pink or red.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over the beef mixture and cook for a minute or two.
Add in the tomatoes and continue to cook for about 2-3 minutes.
Throw in the pasta followed by milk. Cook for another 1 or two until the ingredients have been fully incorporated. Adjust seasonings with salt pepper.
Stir in more than half of the cheese (leave the rest to sprinkle on top).
Transfer to a greased 2-quart baking dish or 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° F for about 20 -30 minutes or until casserole is heated through. And top is slightly brown. Remove then let it rest for a few minutes and serve when it is still piping hot.
I made this tonight and it was a hit! I left out the jalapeno and did crushed tomato instead of diced (I have a picky one that does not like tomatoes) and then added green beans on the side and everyone cleaned their plates! Thanks for the amazing recipe!
Hi Amanda! I am so glad to hear this was a hit with your family :).
Made this tonight, so delicious! But I’m curious about the flour. What is the purpose of that?
Glad to hear it worked out well . It helps thickens the mixture and holds it together. Thanks for the feedback Amanda
Made this last night. It was great! A keeper that’s for sure.
Yaaay! This is indeed a keeper. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Enjoy weekend!
Looks good but you might want to update the recipe to reflect that you are using Fusilli, not Macaroni.
Thanks for pointing it out. Already updated it.
Hello, could you use regular whole milk? I am a bit under the weather and not up to going to the store for evaporated milk & sadly I have none in my pantry.
Hello Dayle, you may replace it with 3/4 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup half-and-half. Please see notes for other option.
Your style of cooking is right up my alley and speaks to my heart! Thank you for all the lovely recipes !
Thank you, too, for dropping by. Can’t wait for you to them. =)
I made this tonight. It was delicious. I followed the recipe exactly except I added corn and some diced up Yellow squash and zucchini from the garden. It was a hit with everyone. I just have one question – should the hamburger grease be drained?
Thanks Jennifer. It’s a matter of preference. Personally, I would drain it if it’s a fair amount of grease. When shopping look for lean ground beef.
Delicious!!!! A new favorite for my family! Keep the greatness coming!
Can this recipe be frozen??
It sure can.
Can this be made ahead and then baked when you are ready to eat it? It looks so good am going to try it tonight!
Yes it can . Leave off the cheese. Then add when reheating.
Love this recipe. Made it today and I was really happy about being able hide vegetables in this dish and the kids eating and enjoying their meal with no fuss. It was DELICIOUS . THANK YOU
What is Cajun salt? Creole seasoning? Pardon me if you’ve already addressed this..I’m new to your site.
Cajun salt or Creole seasoning is a combination of dried herbs and spices(paprika, white and cayenne pepper, dried herbs, garlic, onion powder. Sold in most supermarkets ,depending on your location. Just might have to put a recipe up for creole seasoning soon. Hope this helps
Delicious
Thanks Imma. Good recipe, Will do it this weekend
Yay! Let me know how it works out for you.
Looks so yummy. On my way to the grocery store. Ingredients do not list how much beef or tomatoes. please let me know.
Darlene, pardon me. I guest a cup of cup wouldn’t do it today. Recipe be updated . And do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks!
Still no beef or tomato quantities?
Arrgh!!!! Technology….. I have double and triple checked now .
There is something so comforting about a casserole on a chilly fall evening, isn’t there? This macaroni looks so delicious! I love the inclusion of smoked paprika–easily one of my favorite spices.
Yes! they are so comforting !!!!
I love this Macaroni Beef Casserole! Reminds me of a dish that my mom used to make. Thanks!
Such a great twist on macaroni pie! Love the seasonings and it sounds perfect as a comfort food.
Mmm this looks like a big bowl of yummy comfort food! I love all the bold flavors… jalapeños, cayenne, smoked paprika – YUM!
Me too! love it when it packs a punch.
In New England, we call this American Chop Suey…it’s a favorite!! I love the spices you’ve added to yours!
Thanks Sarah.