WHAT’S FOR DINNER?
Baked Spaghetti
Array/5
COOK TIME
20 min
TOTAL TIME
30 min
SERVINGS
3-4 servings
This Baked Spaghetti Casserole With Egg Noodles is the perfect combination of hearty, cheesy, and comforting, all baked into one easy dish that is ready in 30 minutes! Great for a busy weeknight dinner that can feed a large crowd.
Weeknight dinners, am I right? After a long, busy day, the absolute last thing I want to deal with at 5:30 is figuring out what to make for dinner. It feels like an endless loop, dinner, dishes, repeat. My husband loves to complain about mowing the lawn, and I remind him that he only has to do that once a week for a few months a year. Dinner? That’s an every.single.day situation, and it’s not going anywhere!
That’s why I love having a handful of easy, go-to recipes that make the whole process a little easier, like this easy pasta casserole. It’s all the comforting flavors of classic spaghetti but with a twist. The egg noodles add a unique texture that makes this dish even more delicious, and the prep is simple enough to pull off on a busy weeknight without breaking a sweat.
This casserole has become a favorite in our house because it checks all the boxes: quick, easy, and totally satisfying. Pair it with some cheesy garlic bread and roasted broccoli, and you’ve got yourself a complete meal that keeps everyone full and happy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Budget Friendly: This casserole uses affordable pantry staples like pasta, tomato sauce, and ground beef, making it a perfect meal to feed your family without breaking the bank!
30 Minute Meal: With just 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of baking, you can have a hot, comforting dinner on the table fast, even on your busiest nights.
Simple Ingredients: No need for a fancy shopping list, everything you need for this recipe is likely already in your fridge and pantry.
Family Friendly: The creamy, cheesy layers and familiar flavors of spaghetti make this a familiar and happy taste for kids and adults.
Customizable: Swap out the ground beef for turkey, add veggies, or play with different cheeses to make this dish your own!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ground Hamburger – This ground beef makes the casserole satisfying and filling. For best results, use lean beef to cut down on grease, but any ground beef will work!
Tomato Sauce – Brings the classic spaghetti flavor and ties everything together with a saucy, delicious base. A high-quality or homemade tomato sauce is all you need.
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper – Makes sure the dish is perfectly seasoned, balancing all the flavors. Adds a subtle kick of warmth and balances the richness of the other ingredients.
Egg Noodles – They give this casserole a fun texture and soak up all the saucy, cheesy goodness.
Sour Cream – Adds a creamy tang that makes the noodles extra flavorful.
Small Curd Cottage Cheese – Brings creaminess and protein to the dish while helping to bind the layers together. Even if you’re not a cottage cheese fan, I promise you won’t taste it!
Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese – The ultimate topping for a gooey, melty, cheesy taste and texture. Go for sharp cheddar for that bold flavor punch, or use your favorite type of cheese.
Step By Step Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F so it’s ready for baking once the casserole is assembled.
Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the tomato sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer.
Cook the Egg Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles until they’re just shy of fully cooked (al dente) to make sure they don’t overcook in the oven. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
Prepare the Creamy Mixture: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cottage cheese, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir until smooth and evenly mixed. Add the cooked egg noodles to this mixture and toss until the noodles are fully coated.
Assemble the Casserole: Grease a casserole dish or an 8×8 baking dish to prevent sticking. Layer half of the creamy noodle mixture on the bottom of the dish, spreading it out evenly. Next, add half of the ground beef and tomato sauce mixture, followed by a sprinkle of half the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Create a second layer by repeating the process. Add the remaining noodle mixture the rest of the meat sauce, and finish with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake the Casserole: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Cook the egg noodles just to al dente, as they’ll finish cooking in the oven and soak up some of the sauce while baking. This keeps them from becoming too soft or mushy.
Let the beef mixture simmer while preparing the noodles and creamy layer. This allows the flavors in the tomato sauce to develop and mix perfectly.
Spread each layer evenly in the casserole dish to make sure every bite has a balanced mix of noodles, meat sauce, and cheese.
Use freshly shredded cheese if possible. It melts better and gives the casserole a creamier, gooier texture.
Lightly grease the casserole dish before layering to make serving and cleanup much easier.
Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes after baking before slicing. This gives the layers a chance to settle and firm up, which makes serving cleaner and easier.
Use a spatula to press down each layer slightly before adding the next, which helps the ingredients compact together for even baking.
Check for bubbling cheese, so you know the casserole is ready. Bubbling cheese means the casserole is heated through.
Customize It
Meat Swaps: Instead of ground beef, feel free to use ground Italian sausage, ground turkey, lamb, or even chicken.
Pasta Swaps: Instead of egg noodles, use spaghetti, penne, rotini, or even whole wheat pasta for a different texture and flavor.
Veggie Add-Ins: Sauté onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms to layer between the noodles and sauce, or mix spinach or kale into the creamy noodle mixture.
Cheese Swaps: Replace cottage cheese with ricotta for a smoother texture, or mix shredded mozzarella or Parmesan with cheddar for a rich, gooey topping.
Seasoning: Enhance the flavor of the tomato sauce with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes, or use a flavored marinara.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure the casserole is fully cooled before transferring.
Freezing: To freeze, assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Reheating: Reheat portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add a little extra shredded cheese on top before reheating.
FAQ
What can I use instead of cottage cheese?
Ricotta cheese is a good substitute for cottage cheese in this recipe. It has a smooth texture and blends well into the creamy layer.
What size egg noodles are best for this casserole?
Medium or wide egg noodles work best for this casserole. They hold the sauce and creamy mixture perfectly without becoming mushy.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking for best results.
Do I need to cover the casserole while baking?
No, baking it uncovered allows the cheese on top to melt and turn golden brown. If the cheese starts to brown too much, you can loosely cover it with foil during the last few minutes.
How can I prevent the noodles from becoming mushy?
Cook the noodles until they are just al dente, as they will continue to cook in the oven while soaking up the sauce.
Can I add extra vegetables to the casserole?
Yes, sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach can be layered with the noodles and meat sauce for added flavor. Make sure to cook off any excess moisture to avoid a watery casserole.
More Pasta Dinner Recipes
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Baked Spaghetti
One of my favorite dinners that is easy, quick and delicious! Spaghetti but thrown in a casserole and baked. And who doesn’t love egg noodles? Add some garlic bread and broccoli and you have yourself a nice little dinner. Boom.
Ingredients
1–1/4 pound ground hamburger
1 can (15 ounce) Tomato Sauce
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon Black Pepper
8 ounces Egg Noodles
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1–1/4 cup Small Curd Cottage Cheese
1 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown hamburger in a large skillet. Drain fat, then add tomato sauce, salt and black pepper. Stir, then simmer on low while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Cook egg noodles until right before they are done. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, cottage cheese and ground black pepper. Add the noodles to the mixtures and stir to combine.
- In a casserole dish or 8×8 baking dish, add half of the noodle mixture to the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half the meat mixture, then sprinkle on half the shredded cheddar. Repeat with noodles, meat, then a final layer of cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until all cheese is melted.
Notes
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