Browning meat
Simmering sauce
Baking in casserole dish
As far as simple ground beef casserole recipes go, this one is by far our favorite. With over 800+ positive reviews, I can almost guarantee it will be a winner with your family as it has been in my home for the past 13 years! You can consider this ground beef casserole a “southwest casserole”, or you might even call it hamburger casserole. Either way, it’s a staple meal that comes together easily with simple ingredients. If you’re looking for a set-it-and-forget-it version, hop over to our crockpot ground beef casserole recipe.
Storing – Store cooled leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to remoisten if needed. Freezing – You can freeze this casserole for up to three months. Allow the cooked casserole to cool completely before wrapping tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Or, transfer the casserole to an air-tight container. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 F and remove foil so you can take off the plastic wrap from the frozen dish. Put the foil back on and bake (casserole will still be frozen) for about an hour. Check for doneness and continue for another 15 minutes if needed. If you defrosted the casserole, reheat for 35-45 minutes. Tip – If you don’t want your baking pan in the freezer for three months, after the dish has cooled completely line another baking dish with 2-3 layers of plastic wrap leaving extra hanging over the sides. Place the cooled casserole into the lined pan and freeze. Once frozen lift the dish out with the plastic wrap. Remove the plastic wrap and transfer the frozen item to a freezer safe bag. When you’re ready to bake it, simply remove from the bag and place it into a baking dish.
This yields 8 servings, suitable for 8 people.
Mix everything together and store in an airtight container. Keep some on a shaker bottle for the grill!
Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey, ground bison, or ground chicken.
A mixture of Italian sausage and ground beef can be used.
Use Magic Dust or steak seasoning for flavor; garnish with green onions and sour cream as desired.
If the pasta texture is off, cook a bit less al dente.
If the casserole is too dry, reduce sauce or add moisture during reheating.
How should I finish the dish before serving? Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.