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A hearty Lazy Night Ground Beef Casserole fresh from the oven, bubbling and browned.

Classic Lazy Night Ground Beef Casserole

This classic ground beef casserole is a hearty and comforting meal perfect for a lazy night. It features tender elbow macaroni baked in a flavorful tomato and beef sauce, topped with a generous layer of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • large, oven-safe skillet
  • Dutch oven (optional)
  • oven-safe dish (optional)

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1/2 cup sour cream optional
  • Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • In an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef, then drain excess grease.
  • Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, then stir in minced garlic.
  • Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth; stir in Italian seasoning, basil, salt, and pepper, then bring to a simmer.
  • Add uncooked macaroni to the simmering sauce, stir, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove from heat and stir in sour cream if using.
  • Stir 1 cup of cheddar and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese into the mixture, then divide if desired.
  • Sprinkle the casserole with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and heated through.
  • Let the casserole stand before serving, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

This casserole is a great option for meal prepping; you can easily bake half for tonight and freeze the other half for later. Adjust the amount of beef broth as needed to achieve your desired sauce consistency during the pasta cooking stage.