Crazy Good Casserole
Get ready to indulge in pure comfort with this "Crazy Good Casserole" recipe—a hearty and flavor-packed dish that’s destined to become a family favorite! Featuring layers of tender al dente penne pasta, rich and savory meat sauce, and a luscious blend of cream cheese and sour cream, this casserole is crowned with melty cheddar and mozzarella cheeses for the ultimate gooey finish. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, onions, and Italian herbs, this easy-to-make dinner comes together with just 20 minutes of prep time. Whether you're serving a crowd or meal-prepping for the week, this casserole is a guaranteed hit. Garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of brightness, and serve up a slice of cozy satisfaction!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 15 ounces Crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 4 ounces Cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup Sour cream
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy.
Spread half of the cooked penne pasta evenly in the bottom of the greased casserole dish.
Spoon the cream cheese and sour cream mixture evenly over the pasta layer and spread gently with a spatula.
Pour half of the meat sauce over the creamy layer, spreading it out evenly.
Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce.
Repeat the layers: remaining pasta, remaining meat sauce, remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy your Crazy Good Casserole!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
557 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 36.7 g | 47% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.1 g | 96% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 115 mg | 38% | |
| Sodium | 708 mg | 31% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.5 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.9 g | ||
| Protein | 28.8 g | 58% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 353 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 492 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
