Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces egg noodles (uncooked)
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 1/4 lbs lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Liquids & Sauces
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 16 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes (drained, petite cut preferred)
Seasonings & Toppings
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Cook Noodles: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Heat Olive Oil: In a large pan over medium-high heat, warm 2 teaspoons of olive oil until shimmering.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula until browned.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the onion softens and the beef is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Tomato Sauce and Seasoning: Stir in the canned tomato sauce, drained diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Mix well to combine evenly.
- Combine Noodles and Beef Mixture: Add the drained noodles to the beef and tomato sauce mixture in the pan. Toss everything gently to ensure noodles are coated and mixed with the beef sauce.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9″x13″ baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Pour the beef and noodle mixture into the pan and spread evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top for freshness and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for beef for a leaner option.
- Use whole wheat egg noodles to increase fiber content.
- Adding a splash of red wine to the beef mixture can deepen the flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, add crushed red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American