Cheesy Baked Beef Casserole

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Ingredients

For the Beef Sauce

  • 700 g (1.5 lbs) ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning or oregano
  • ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • ½ cup beef broth or water
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional but recommended)

Casserole Base

  • (Optional) 250 g cooked pasta such as penne, fusilli, or macaroni
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for mixing)

Cheese Topping

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar (optional)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the Beef

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add diced onions and sauté until translucent.
  3. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula.
  4. Stir in garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, black pepper, chili flakes, and salt.
  5. Add diced red pepper if using.
  6. Stir in tomato paste and let it cook for 1 minute.
  7. Add tomato sauce, Worcestershire, and broth.
  8. Let it simmer on low for 10–15 minutes until thick and flavorful.

Taste and adjust seasoning.

2. Prepare the Baking Dish

Option A — With Pasta

Mix the cooked pasta into the beef sauce along with 1 cup mozzarella. Spread in baking dish.

Option B — Without Pasta

Simply pour the beef mixture into your baking dish and smooth the top.

Both work perfectly and match the style of your picture.

3. Add Cheese Topping

  • Sprinkle the casserole generously with mozzarella (and cheddar if using).
  • Make sure it covers the whole surface to create that beautiful melted layer.

4. Bake

Bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, or until:

  • cheese is melted,
  • bubbly,
  • slightly golden in spots.

Broil for 1–2 minutes if you want extra browning.

5. Garnish and Serve

Top with freshly chopped parsley for color and freshness.

Serve warm with:

  • garlic bread
  • salad
  • roasted vegetables
  • mashed potatoes

Tips for Best Results

  • Add cream cheese (2–3 tbsp) to the beef sauce for extra creaminess.
  • Use a cheese blend: mozzarella for melt, cheddar for flavor, provolone for stretch.
  • Let casserole rest 10 minutes before cutting so it holds its shape.

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