There’s something magical about a casserole that brings the whole family together around the dinner table, and this ground beef casserole does exactly that. Passed down from my grandmother, this recipe combines tender pasta, savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and not one but two types of cheese for the ultimate comfort food experience. It’s the kind of dish that tastes as good as a warm hug feels and makes your house smell like home.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to this exceptional casserole lies in the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The combination of cheddar and provolone cheeses creates a rich, complex flavor profile that elevates this dish beyond ordinary ground beef casseroles. The bacon adds a smoky depth, while the canned tomatoes provide just enough acidity to balance the richness. Everything bakes together in one dish, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Grandmother’s Legacy Recipe
This isn’t just any casserole recipe; it’s a family treasure that has been bringing comfort to our dinner table for generations. My grandmother understood that the best meals aren’t necessarily the most complicated ones, but rather those made with love and simple, quality ingredients that come together to create something truly special.
What do you need for this ground beef casserole recipe?
For the Casserole Base:
- Ground beef – Provides hearty protein and rich, savory flavor as the foundation
- Pasta – Acts as the bulk extender that makes this dish filling and satisfying
- White onion – Adds sweet, aromatic depth that complements the beef
- Bacon – Contributes smoky richness and crispy texture contrast
- Salt – Enhances all the natural flavors throughout the dish
- Ground black pepper – Adds subtle warmth and seasoning depth
For the Sauce and Cheese:
- Canned diced tomatoes – Creates the binding sauce with perfect acidity balance
- Shredded cheddar cheese – Provides classic sharp, tangy cheese flavor
- Shredded provolone cheese – Adds mild, creamy richness that elevates the dish
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Ground Beef
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef.
- Season the meat with salt and pepper while cooking, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
- Cook for 7-10 minutes until the beef is completely browned and no pink remains.
- Drain the cooked beef thoroughly and set aside.
Cook the Pasta
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain well and set aside. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven, so don’t overcook it initially.
Prepare the Bacon and Onions
- Add diced bacon and cook over medium heat using the same skillet used for the beef.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet with the bacon.
- Cook until the bacon is crispy and the onions are translucent and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
Assemble the Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a casserole dish, combine the cooked pasta, two cans of diced tomatoes with their juices, cooked ground beef, and the bacon-onion mixture.
- Stir everything together until well combined and evenly distributed.
- Top with both the cheddar and provolone cheeses, covering the entire surface.
Bake to Perfection
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- For extra golden cheese, broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as they meld together.
- Reheating Method: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or reheat the entire casserole covered in a 325°F oven for 20-25 minutes until heated through.
- Freezing: It freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. If it seems dry, add a splash of water or broth when reheating.
Are you looking for more great ground beef dinner ideas? Try these recipes!
- Country Pie
- Dishes with Ground Beef
- Ground Beef Chili Relleno Casserole
- Ground Beef Green Beans
- Hamburger Casserole Recipes with Tater Tots
- Hamburger Hash
- Homemade Hamburger Stroganoff
- Jiffy Mix Mexican Cornbread
- Mexican Casserole with Tortillas
- Tex Mex Taco Spaghetti Recipe
More Budget Meal Ideas
Be sure to look at more of the best casserole recipes and budget-friendly meals.
Easy Ground Beef Casserole – Family Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef I like to use 70% lean
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 12 ounces macaroni
- 1 cup chopped white onion
- 4 slices bacon
- 29 ounces canned diced tomatoes (two 14.5 ounces cans)
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Provolone cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat.
- Cook the 12 ounces of dry macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat . Be sure to crumble the beef into small pieces and season with salt and pepper while cooking. When the beef is done, remove it from the skillet, drain, and set aside.
- Return the same skillet to heat, and add bacon and onions. Cook until the bacon is fully cooked and the onions are translucent.
- In a two quart casserole dish , combine macaroni, diced tomatoes (do not drain the cans), ground beef, onions, and bacon. Stir to combine.
- Top the casserole with both kinds of cheese.
- Bake in a 350°F oven until the cheese is melted. You may want to brown the cheese by turning on your broiler function for a moment or two before removing the casserole from the oven.
We made this ground beef casserole for our dinner last night and it was the bomb! This recipe is amazing. Easy to follow and the taste was delicious. It will definitely become one of our family’s favorite recipes.
Would you have another replacement for the tomatoes in this receipe.
Thank you
Donna Lee
Do you not like tomatoes? Maybe a cream of something soup would also work.
If one is just looking for the red color, then try roasted red peppers (like large pimentos.
Stephanie , Is that supposed to be 12 ounces of cooked macaroni or dried macaroni
You start with 12 ounces of dry pasta, and cook it according to package directions. You then use the cooked pasta in the recipe.
This was so amazing!! My husband loved it and even my fussy teenage son devoured it. Thank you!!
Simple and wonderful. Thanks!
Bishop
Waiting for it to come out of the oven, smells AMAZING
So glad you enjoyed the smell!
I made this reciped on Sunday and it is absolutely delicious! My husband and I were quite impressed with the flavors. Not many spices but goodnes……does this ever taste good! We will certainly have this again and again!
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Please help me! The fetticini sonora pastadish with artichokes from the Paradise Restaurant in Torrance..I relocated from Calif to Texas and I miss my favorite dish….I need a fix! Can you help? I am begging ????
Steph,
Have been treating to say thank you for all your great recipes over the years. Really appreciate all your time and effort. Great job and many thanks!
Pam
This looks like a great recipe, simple ingredients, easy to prepare, just right for a busy week night. Thanks, Stephanie!
Thank you. I hope you give it a try.