Description
Hearty Missouri casserole delivers comfort straight from Midwestern kitchens to your dinner table, packed with simple ingredients that remind you of home-cooked goodness. Creamy, cheesy layers blend classic flavors your family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein and Starches:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces egg noodles or rotini, cooked al dente
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (red or yellow)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown 1 pound ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks.
- Toss in 1 chopped onion, 1 cup chopped bell peppers, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 6 minutes until vegetables soften and release their aroma.
- Pour 28 ounces crushed tomatoes and 2 tablespoons tomato paste into the skillet. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Simmer sauce for 10 minutes at low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Cook 12 ounces egg noodles in salted water until perfectly al dente. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Heat your oven to 375°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Create first sauce layer across the bottom of the dish, using half the meat mixture. Spread half the cooked noodles on top, then sprinkle 1 cup total of mixed cheeses.
- Repeat layering with remaining sauce, pasta, and top with 1½ cups total of shredded cheddar and mozzarella.
- Cover casserole with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes at 375°F.
- Remove foil and continue baking 12 minutes until cheese turns golden and edges bubble.
- Allow casserole to rest 8 minutes before serving to help it set.
- Optionally scatter 2 tablespoons chopped parsley across the top for fresh color and flavor.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the casserole from becoming too oily.
- Allow the meat sauce to simmer slowly, which helps develop deeper, richer flavors and tenderize the ingredients.
- Layer the casserole carefully, ensuring even distribution of meat sauce, pasta, and cheese for consistent taste in every bite.
- If avoiding gluten, swap regular pasta for whole grain or gluten-free alternatives without changing the core recipe technique.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg