Description

Ground beef casserole is a comforting, one-dish meal combining lean ground beef, diced vegetables, tomato sauce, spices, pasta, and melted cheese for a satisfying family-friendly dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or as a homemade meal that feeds a crowd. Easily adapted for gluten-free or low-carb diets.

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

– 1 lb lean ground beef (substitute ground turkey, chicken, or bison if needed)

– 1 cup diced onion

– ½ cup diced orange bell pepper

– ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

– 1 tsp Montreal Steak seasoning or Magic Dust seasoning (substitute taco seasoning if needed)

– 16 oz tomato sauce

– 10 oz can Red Gold Diced Tomatoes & Green Chiles (substitute regular diced tomatoes + 4 oz green chiles)

– 1½ tsp dried oregano

– 2 tsp chili powder

– 2 cups frozen corn

– 1½ cups cooked al dente macaroni-style pasta (substitute cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for low-carb diets)

– 2 oz shredded Mexican 4 Cheese blend (mixed in)

– 1 cup shredded Mexican 4 Cheese blend (for topping; substitute plant-based cheese for vegan diets)

Optional Garnish:

– Sliced green onions

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and spray a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onions, bell pepper, and red pepper flakes. Season with Magic Dust or steak seasoning.
Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, and chili powder to the skillet. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes.
Stir in frozen corn and simmer for a few more minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 ounces of shredded cheese until melted.
Gently mix in cooked pasta. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and top with remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Bake uncovered for 20–30 minutes, or until browned and bubbly.
Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.

Notes

– Use al dente pasta to prevent mushiness after baking. Substitute plant-based ingredients for vegan diets.

– Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Freeze portions for longer storage; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Avoid microwaving for too long to preserve texture.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish / Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American / Comfort Food

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: ~350
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 80mg