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This classic cheesy recipe comes straight from my Nana Cabe’s handwritten cookbook. My Uncle Bill loves this recipe so much that she even labeled it as “Bill’s favorite!” on the top of the page. To this day, my mom will make it for his birthday each year, writing “Happy Birthday” in ketchup on top, which tells you everything you need to know about how beloved this dish is.
True to its name, this is the perfect casserole for company. It’s warm, comforting, and feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s also an ideal make-ahead dinner for busy weeks. Prep everything on a Sunday, then slide it into the oven on a hectic Monday night and dinner is done with minimal effort. Simply assemble the base, top it with plenty of cheese, and let the oven do the work.
This recipe is one of my favorites because of how versatile and forgiving it is. If you’re short on time and don’t want to wait for the oven, you can stir the cheese directly into the skillet after the simmer step for a quick, stovetop version. Trust me, I understand how valuable thirty minutes can be after a long day. This combination is everything I love in a good casserole: simple, cheesy, and hearty.
Tips
- Make Ahead Friendly: Company coming over for dinner? You can prepare the recipe through step seven the day before. Cover the baking dish and pop it in the oven on the day of.
- The original recipe calls for two pounds of ground beef and 8 ounces of cooked macaroni (about half a standard box). If you’re watching your grocery budget, use one pound of ground beef and a full box of pasta. It will still be filling, flavorful, and delicious.
- Add the onions and peppers to the ground beef during the simmer step to avoid feeling like you are eating raw peppers and onions.
Shopping List
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- I use the 90% lean.
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
- Ketchup
- Steak sauce
- Italian seasoning
- 1 box (16 oz.) of elbow noodles
- 1 10 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
- Cheddar cheese
- You will want to get a bag that has at least 2 cups, or grate your own!
Cheesy Company Beef Casserole
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes1
hour10
minutes1
hour20
minutesThis hearty classic is a hug in a bowl!
Ingredients
2 lbs. ground beef (see note)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1/2 c green bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon steak sauce
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
Half a box of elbow noodles, prepared (see note)
1 10 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
- Brown the meat. Drain if needed, and return to the pan.
- Add the onion, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, ketchup, steak sauce, and Italian seasoning to the ground beef mixture. Stir to combine. Simmer for 30 minutes. Season to taste.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- While the ground beef mixture simmers, prepare the noodles according to the package directions. Cook for the lower end of the recommended cooking time. Drain.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef mixture and cream of mushroom soup. Combine.
- Fold the cooked noodles into the mixture.
- Pour mixture in a lightly-greased 9 x 13 in. baking dish. Top with at least 2 cups of grated cheddar. Add more if you like!
- Bake 30 minutes, or until bubbling. Allow to rest for ten minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use the entire box of elbow noodles if you only have one pound of ground beef. This will still leave you with a full baking dish!