Hearty Cheesy Baked Casserole (Printable)

Comforting baked casserole of seasoned meat, vegetables, pasta and melted cheddar for easy family dinners.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef or ground 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, and 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 It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until browned, breaking up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
04 - Add frozen mixed vegetables, diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cooked pasta and sour cream until combined evenly.
06 - Fold in half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese until just melted.
07 - Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, spreading evenly.
08 - Sprinkle remaining cheddar and mozzarella over the top. If using, combine breadcrumbs with melted butter and scatter over the cheese layer.
09 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until cheese is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
10 - Remove from oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving for optimal flavor and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Layered with gooey cheese and baked until golden, this is the weeknight hero that actually gets better as leftovers.
  • There’s freedom to swap veggies or use what’s on hand, which is how this dish always fits the mood and the fridge.
02 -
  • Forgetting to drain the tomatoes or meat will give you a watery casserole instead of comfort on a plate.
  • Mixing half the cheese into the filling (and saving the rest for the top) changes it from good to glorious.
03 -
  • Let the casserole rest before cutting so slices come out clean and hearty, not falling apart.
  • Broil for a final minute if you want a truly irresistible crispy cheese top.

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