Name: Beef Noodle Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3 cups uncooked egg noodles; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 medium onion (chopped); 1 pound lean ground beef; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 2 cups marinara sauce; Salt & pepper (to taste); 2 cups grated mozzarella cheddar blend ((or just use cheddar))

Why you'll love it

Picture this: you're busy, it's a weeknight, and you just want a hot dinner on the table fast that everyone in your family will actually want to eat. This beef noodle casserole has no fancy ingredients, and it's true when they say that keeping it simple is often the best. It's super easy to throw together and ready in just over 30 minutes.

With all that melty cheese in a tomato sauce, it's hard to resist. It's also known as hamburger noodle casserole, so it goes without saying that this kid-friendly meal will go over really well with the little ones in your home! I also like how flexible this casserole is, so you can customize it to your family's particular tastes.

What you'll need

Noodles - I used egg noodles since they hold up well in casseroles and the sauce coats them perfectly. You can sub for a pasta that is a similar size, though.

Olive oil - for sautéing the onion and beef

Onion and garlic - tasty aromatics to infuse savory flavor

Ground beef - we're using lean ground beef. It's easy to cook and fairly inexpensive.

Red pepper flakes - optional, but they give a little bit of heat without making this recipe spicy at all

Marinara sauce - use any jarred tomato-based sauce or try my homemade marinara sauce. You could even drizzle some Alfredo sauce in for a pop of creamy flavor.

Cheese - I used a mozzarella/cheddar blend and just bought a bag of it to save time. Any easy melting cheese would work!

Make ahead tip

This is a great make ahead casserole! Simply assemble it just prior to the baking step, then cover and refrigerate for up to a day ahead or freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready, bake it covered (like with foil) for the first 10 minutes or so, and then uncover for the rest of the baking time.

How to make beef noodle casserole

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

browning ground beef in a skillet and stirring in marinara sauce

Cook the egg noodles for a minute or two less than package directions indicate, then drain them and add them to a 9x13 baking dish. Meanwhile, cook the beef and onions in a skillet, then stir in the marinara sauce and let it warm through.

adding egg noodles, ground beef, and cheese to a casserole dish

Add the beef mixture to the noodles, along with half of the cheese.

adding a second layer of meat and cheese to beef noodle casserole

Toss and spread it out evenly, then top with the remaining cheese and bake at 375F until hot and bubbly!

Substitutions and variations

This recipe would be delicious with Italian sausage meat, or swap the beef for ground turkey for a lighter version.

You could definitely throw in some chopped veggies. I'd sauté them with the beef. Mushrooms, green onions, chopped carrots, or spinach are good options.

Give the recipe a Tex-Mex twist by using a Tex-Mex (or Mexican) cheese blend and adding a tablespoon of chili powder to the ground beef.

You could add in some freshly grated parmesan cheese in addition to the other cheeses if you wish! Try 1/2 to 1 cup.

Leftovers and storage

Leftovers should last 3-4 days in the fridge.

As with any pasta/noodle dish, it's likely to dry out a bit and the noodles will soak the sauce up, so you may need to add a little more marinara sauce to revitalize leftovers.

Heat in a saucepan over a low heat or in the oven if it's still in the baking dish.

Beef Noodle Casserole