Layered Ground Beef Casserole
Discover comfort food at its finest with this irresistible Layered Ground Beef Casserole, a hearty, layered masterpiece perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. This recipe combines tender layers of al dente penne pasta, savory ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce, and a creamy blend of cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a deliciously cheesy finish. Enhanced with aromatic garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning, each bite bursts with flavor. The casserole is baked to bubbly perfection in under an hour, making it a quick and satisfying option for any occasion. Serve it warm with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor. Ideal for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this ground beef pasta casserole is both comforting and versatile, sure to become a new family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 cups Tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups Cottage cheese
- 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large Egg, lightly beaten
- 8 ounces Penne pasta, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking 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, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook and crumble the beef until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Season the beef mixture with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Let simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
In a medium bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and the beaten egg until well combined.
To assemble the casserole, layer half of the cooked penne pasta evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Spread half of the beef and tomato sauce mixture over the pasta.
Dollop half of the cheese mixture over the sauce layer and gently spread it out.
Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta, beef mixture, and cheese mixture.
Sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the casserole.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
625 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.6 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.8 g | 69% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 122 mg | 41% | |
| Sodium | 1395 mg | 61% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.7 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.1 g | ||
| Protein | 40.4 g | 81% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 472 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 652 mg | 14% | |
*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.
