Hearty Cheesy Baked Casserole (Printable)
Savory meat, tender veggies, pasta and melted cheese baked into a golden, family-friendly casserole.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables such as peas, carrots, and corn
→ Pantry
06 - 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes, drained
07 - 2 cups cooked pasta such as penne or rotini
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Dairy & Cheese
12 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 1/2 cup sour cream
→ Topping
15 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
16 - 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Set oven temperature to 350°F (180°C) and allow to preheat fully.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until thoroughly browned. Drain excess fat from the pan.
03 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, and red bell pepper to the browned meat. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
04 - Add frozen mixed vegetables, drained diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Fold in the cooked pasta and sour cream, mixing until distributed evenly.
06 - Fold in half of the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until just combined.
07 - Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish, then spoon the prepared mixture into the dish, spreading evenly.
08 - Top casserole evenly with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. If using, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese layer.
09 - Place baking dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until cheeses are bubbling and the top is golden brown.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes prior to serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You can swap veggies or cheeses and it still tastes like home – that’s our delicious little secret.
- No matter how chaotic the day, this casserole comes together easily and brings everyone to the table smiling.
02 -
- If you skip draining the tomatoes well, the casserole gets way too watery – trust me on this one.
- Letting it rest after baking keeps the layers neat and makes serving so much easier.
03 -
- Layer some cheese in the middle of the casserole for pockets of extra gooeyness.
- Let kids scatter the toppings – uneven cheese melts into the best golden spots.