Noodles in a ground beef marinara sauce, topped with cheddar is exactly what makes ground beef casserole a family favorite comfort food for easy weeknight dinners!
Prep Time: 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 25 minutesminutes
Total Time: 35 minutesminutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1pounduncooked penne noodles
1poundlean ground beef
⅔cupdiced onion, about 1/2 onion
3clovesgarlic, minced
24ouncejar marinara
1teaspoonKosher salt, more to taste
¼teaspoonground black pepper, more to taste
1-2cupsshredded cheddar cheese , more if desired
For serving (optional): Chopped basil, parsley or sliced green onions
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
In a large pot, boil noodles according to package instructions for al dente. Drain, and then pour into the baking dish.
In a large skillet, cook the beef and onions over medium-high heat until no longer pink. If there's a lot of grease, remove the the cooked beef and place in a paper towel-lined bowl to absorb excess grease. Stir in the garlic and cook an additional minute.
Add the marinara, salt and pepper. Simmer for a few minutes until heated through. Season to taste. Add some fresh herbs, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if desired to boost flavor. Add the beef back in if you removed.
Pour the sauce over the noodles and stir to combine. Evenly cover the top with cheddar cheese.
Bake 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly. You can broil the last minute if desired. Serve while warm. Top with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Seasonings: For extra flavor add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes into the sauce. Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Freezer instructions: Freeze in a 9×13-inch metal tin wrapped with foil. When ready to eat, place in the refrigerator to thaw overnight and cook at 350°F for 30 to 45 minutes, or until hot. You can also top with extra cheese before baking.