Beef Noodle Casserole

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!

How to make beef noodle casserole

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

Cook the egg noodles for a minute or two less than package directions indicate, then drain them and add them to a 9×13 baking dish. Meanwhile, cook the beef and onions in a skillet, then stir in the marinara sauce and let it warm through.

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

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.