Ground Beef Casserole Recipe For Two

Whenever you need a quick and easy meal that doesn’t take a lot of time to prepare, but still tastes delicious, make this easy Ground Beef Casserole recipe. It is the perfect meal to make on a busy weeknight or when you don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

This casserole brings together the classic combination of pasta, ground beef and marinara sauce. Once mixed together the ingredients are poured in a casserole dish and topped with shredded cheese.

Then all that is left to do is to heat it in the oven until the cheese melts and the edges are nice and bubbly. Serve it with a pre-made salad and/or crusty bread that you can use to soak up the sauce for a complete and satisfying meal that was super easy to prepare.

You can even make it in less time with a little preparation before hand. Cook the ground beef and pasta up to 3 days before you want to serve the meal.

Then all you have to do is stir in the marinara sauce and top it with cheese. Place the dish in the oven and dinner will be on the table in less than 15 minutes!

And who couldn’t use a simple and easy recipe like that? However, it is so delicious that you can also make it as a comforting Sunday supper that is perfectly portioned for two.

Best Type of Ground Meat To Use

Ground Beef:

Although standard 80/20 ground beef will give you the most flavor in this casserole, I prefer to use lean ground beef that has at a minimum 90/10 lean to fat ratio. When using the leaner beef you will not have to drain the grease which means there are less dishes to do at the end of the night.

In addition, because you won’t have to take the extra step of draining the fat, dinner can get in the oven and on the table even quicker.

Ground Chicken or Ground Turkey:

For those who are looking to make this casserole even healthier, use ground chicken or ground turkey instead of ground beef. However, you will need to add a little olive oil to the pan before browning the meat to prevent it from sticking.

Best Pasta To Use In Ground Beef Casserole

When choosing the type of pasta to make this casserole recipe, it is important to consider factors like texture, shape, and how well the pasta will hold up during baking. Below are some pasta options that work well in this ground beef casserole recipe.

Penne: I most often use penne pasta because it’s tubular shape with ridges on the outside, provides ample surface area for sauce and ground beef to cling to. Its sturdy structure also maintains its shape and texture, even after baking.

Rotini: Rotini’s spiral shape and ridges helps to hold onto the sauce and ground beef, ensuring a flavorful bite every time. It holds up well during baking, making it a common choice for casseroles.

Elbow Macaroni: Classic elbow macaroni is also a popular choice for ground beef casseroles including this Easy Cheeseburger Casserole recipe. It has a slightly softer texture than penne or rotini noodles but it still holds up well when put in the oven.

Farfalle (Bowtie): Farfalle’s unique bowtie shape adds visual appeal to the casserole while providing a good surface area for sauce and ground beef to adhere to.

Ziti: Ziti is similar to penne pasta because of its tubular shape. Its hollow center allows it to absorb the meat sauce, however there will be less sauce on the outer surface of the pasta because it has a smooth texture.

Therefore you can choose whichever variety of pasta that you prefer and have on hand in your kitchen. Just be sure to read the recipe card notes below about the exact amount of pasta to use.

How To Make Ground Beef Casserole

1. Cook The Pasta – No matter what type of pasta that you choose, be sure to cook it per the package instructions for al’ dente doneness. You want the pasta to be tender but still have a bite to it. This will ensure that the pasta doesn’t turn to mush when put in the oven.

2. Brown The Ground Beef – Cook the ground beef (or ground chicken/turkey) along with the diced onion until the meat is no longer pink and cooked through. Then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds – 1 minute. Drain the mixture if needed.

3. Add the Marinara Sauce – Use your favorite brand of marinara sauce and stir it in with the ground beef mixture. It doesn’t have to get hot, as it will heat up in the oven.

4. Mix Everything Together – Add the pasta and coated beef mixture to a baking dish and mix until evenly combined. Then spread the mixture in an even layer.

5. Top The Casserole With Cheese – Sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Use as much or as little as you like. As always, it is best to use fresh shredded cheese rather than store-bought shredded cheese for even melting. However, I am a realist and know that most of us (me included) will use pre-packaged shredded cheese for convenience.

Easy Ground Beef Casserole Recipe For Two

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1-2 cups dry penne pasta (4-8 ounces)*
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1⁄2 pound lean ground beef
• 1⁄4 medium onion chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3⁄4 cup marinara sauce
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 3⁄4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

*Note – if you would like leftovers use 2 cups of dry pasta. However, if you would like a smaller portion or like casseroles with more meat sauce use 1 cup of dry pasta.

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and spray a 8 x 8 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. Cook the pasta in a medium size pot of salted, boiling water per package directions for al’ dente consistency. Drain and place in the baking dish.

While the pasta is cooking pour the oil in a medium size skillet and place over medium-high heat. Once hot add the ground beef and onion and sauté until the ground beef is no longer pink, breaking the meat up into fine crumbs as it cooks. Drain if needed and return the meat mixture to the skillet.

Add the garlic to the skillet and sauté for another 30 seconds. Drain if needed and return the meat mixture to the skillet.

Add the marinara sauce to the skillet and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix to combine. Pour the beef mixture over top of the noodles in the baking dish and toss to coat.

Once well combined spread the mixture out in an even layer. Sprinkle the top with an even layer of the shredded cheese. 

Bake Time Required

Bake for 10 minutes, uncovered, until the cheese is melted.

Optional step: Turn on the broiler to allow the cheese to brown. However keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn.

Remove the ground beef casserole from the oven and serve immediately.

Enjoy! Mary

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