Creamy Beef Bake
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Beef Bake, a hearty, flavor-packed casserole that’s perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Featuring tender penne pasta layered with savory seasoned ground beef, a luscious blend of cream cheese and sour cream, and a gooey cheddar cheese topping, this dish is a crowd-pleaser from the first bite. The rich, tomato-based meat sauce, enhanced with aromatic garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning, creates an irresistible layer of warmth and flavor. Topped off with a golden, bubbly layer of melted cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this easy-to-make casserole is a winning combination of creamy, cheesy, and savory deliciousness. Ready in just about an hour, this creamy beef casserole recipe is a satisfying dinner that’s as simple as it is satisfying. Perfect for leftovers, too!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ziti)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup beef broth
- 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy.
Add half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the cream mixture and stir until combined.
In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, followed by half of the beef mixture, and then half of the creamy cheese mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, beef mixture, and cheese mixture.
Top the casserole with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4239 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 321.5 g | 412% | |
| Saturated Fat | 169.0 g | 845% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 930 mg | 310% | |
| Sodium | 6465 mg | 281% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 174.7 g | 64% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.6 g | 63% | |
| Total Sugars | 47.6 g | ||
| Protein | 184.2 g | 368% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.7 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 2452 mg | 189% | |
| Iron | 17.9 mg | 99% | |
| Potassium | 2996 mg | 64% | |
*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.
