Hearty Cheesy Baked Casserole (Print Version)
Comforting, cheesy baked casserole layered with savory meat, mixed vegetables and pasta—ready in about an hour.
# 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 and 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 unsalted butter, melted (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Set oven to 350°F (180°C) and allow to fully preheat.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or turkey until thoroughly browned. Drain off excess fat.
03 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened.
04 - Add frozen mixed vegetables, canned diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and simmer mixture for 5 minutes.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cooked pasta and sour cream until everything is evenly incorporated.
06 - Fold in half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese to the mixture.
07 - Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
08 - Sprinkle remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the casserole. Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter, if using, then sprinkle over the top.
09 - Place baking dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
10 - Allow casserole to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving for easier slicing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Underneath that golden, crispy top is a gooey, savory center—like a secret comfort hiding in plain sight.
- The whole meal comes together in one dish, with simple steps and nearly endless ways to make it your own.
02 -
- If you skip draining the tomatoes, the casserole can turn out watery—learned that one the messy way.
- Letting it rest before serving really does help the flavors settle and prevents burned tongues in the rush to taste.
03 -
- Browning the meat deeply adds way more flavor than just cooking it until gray.
- Don’t skimp on the resting time after baking; the casserole slices hold together so much better.