Hearty Cheesy Baked Casserole (Printable)
Savory layers of browned meat, mixed veg, pasta and melted cheese baked until golden for an easy family dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef or 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, 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 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, for topping)
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground meat until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
04 - Add frozen mixed vegetables, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cooked pasta and sour cream until thoroughly combined.
06 - Fold in half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
07 - Transfer mixture to a greased 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
08 - Sprinkle remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the surface. If using, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese layer.
09 - Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and the top is golden brown.
10 - Remove from oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes prior to serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It&aposs one of those dinners you can make with whatever&aposs lurking in the fridge.
- Kids and grown-ups both light up when they see that bubbling, cheesy crust come out of the oven.
02 -
- Once I skipped draining the tomatoes and ended up with a soupy mess—take the extra minute to drain them well.
- Mixing half the cheese in the casserole keeps things gooey; scattering the rest on top gives that show-stopping crust.
03 -
- Use a big skillet for browning—you need space for even cooking, especially if doubling.
- Mixing cheeses (sharp cheddar + mozzarella) is the secret to both flavor and meltiness.