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.
Sharon E Derrah says
This is by far the best beef casserole recipe I have ever come across, and my mom of 78 years, who considers herself a beef casserole expert, completely agrees.. best ever!
Imma says
Wonderful! Thank you so much for the feedback 🙂
Lynda Byrne says
Just made this and the whole family loved it.
Imma says
Yayy, It is also a great hit in my family too. Thank you so much for trying it and sharing your experience:)
Fred says
Can I add beans to this dish
Imma says
That sounds yummy!
Christine says
Delicious recipe! Perfect for a family with 5 hungry boys! This 100% Irish mama appreciates your recipes that encourage me to try new spices and flavors!
Immaculate Bites says
Woot! Awesome! Thank you, Christine. Check out my collection for 30 Easy Ground Beef Recipes and 25 Best Ground Pork Recipes for more delicious and easy recipes for your family 🙂
Gary says
This recipe was quick easy and very tasty which everybody in the family enjoyed. Are you omitted putting in the Cayenne pepper which after tasting the meal realized I should’ve added it other than that we thoroughly enjoyed the recipe
Immaculate Bites says
Thanks, Gary! Yes, you may omit or add Cayenne pepper depending on spice preference 🙂 I also have 30 Easy Ground Chicken Recipes that you and your family might also enjoy. 🙂
Kathie H says
I used two cans of Rotel instead of the diced tomatoes, and sour cream instead of milk. Turned out wonderfully.
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you for sharing, Kathie!
Ana says
Absolutely delicious! Will definitely make it again!
ImmaculateBites says
Great! Thanks so much.
Haliza Haniff says
Great recipe. Made this yesterday and we all loved it! I thought I had evaporated milk but after I started cooking realised didn’t have any! So just used full fat (whole) milk and it turned out just fine. Will be making this again.
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! I am so glad this worked out for you, Haliza. Thank you so much for the feedback 🙂 .
Martin Gargard says
I made this dish tonight and it came out great! Thx for the recipe!
Amanda says
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!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Amanda! I am so glad to hear this was a hit with your family :).
Amanda says
Made this tonight, so delicious! But I’m curious about the flour. What is the purpose of that?
ImmaculateBites says
Glad to hear it worked out well . It helps thickens the mixture and holds it together. Thanks for the feedback Amanda
Robert Bruce Moore says
Made this last night. It was great! A keeper that’s for sure.
imma africanbites says
Yaaay! This is indeed a keeper. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Enjoy weekend!
Aaron says
Looks good but you might want to update the recipe to reflect that you are using Fusilli, not Macaroni.
imma africanbites says
Thanks for pointing it out. Already updated it.
Dayle says
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.
imma africanbites says
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.