Hearty Cheesy Baked Casserole (Printable)
Savory meat, tender veg, pasta and melted cheddar-mozzarella baked until golden — hearty comfort for weeknight dinners.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb 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 oz 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)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or turkey until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.
03 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, and diced red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables have softened.
04 - Incorporate frozen mixed vegetables, drained 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 the mixture is thoroughly combined.
06 - Fold in half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese, mixing until evenly distributed.
07 - Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
08 - Top with the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese. If using, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese layer.
09 - Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
10 - Allow the casserole to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to help set the layers.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- If you layer the cheese just right, the gooey pockets melt into each forkful for instant comfort.
- This casserole cleverly hides a medley of vegetables without anyone noticing, which means even picky eaters happily scoop seconds.
02 -
- If you skip draining tomatoes, the bottom gets soupy—gotta resist the urge to dump them straight in.
- Mixing cheese only on top once made a patchy crust, but folding some inside means there’s melty cheese in every bite.
03 -
- Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-grated for the smoothest melt and best flavor.
- Gently undercook your pasta by a minute or two so it stays al dente after baking.