21 best ground beef casserole recipes

I have got some tasty ground beef recipes for you to enjoy!

Enjoy flooring beef recipes ranging from your favorite American consolation meals to delicious Mexican flavors that may make you puzzle over how there are so many enchilada, burrito, and taco recipes on the market you've yet to try.

There's an excellent motive. These are our readers' most popular dinner recipes. When you're brief on time, make this hearty meat sauce forward of time.

From hearty casseroles like Tater Tot Casserole and Beef Enchilada Casserole to flavorful soups like One Pot Lasagna Soup and BBQ Spaghetti, these ground beef recipes have something for everyone.

Made with minimal ingredients and easy instructions, they are perfect for busy families and meal prep.

Find new favorites packed with flavor and nutrition, such as Baked Burritos and Stuffed Cabbage Rolls.

Browse the best ground beef recipes on the web, which range from gluten-free options like Inside Out Egg Rolls to comforting classics like Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak and Baked Hamburgers.

Whether you're in the mood for something reasonably spicy like Beef Tacos or something comforting like Homemade Healthy Meat Sauce, these 21-ground beef recipes have got you.

Enjoy the versatility and deliciousness of ground beef!

If you've found inspiration here, happy cooking and enjoy your delicious ground beef creations!

Best Ground Beef Casserole Recipes for Family Meals

21. Mexican Pasta Bake

A quick, bold, and completely satisfying one-pan Mexican-inspired pasta bake — ground beef seasoned with taco spices, combined with pasta, salsa, black beans, and melted cheese, baked until bubbly and golden in just 25 minutes. A brilliant weeknight dinner that the whole family will love. A wonderful addition to our best ground beef casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz rotini or penne pasta, cooked al dente
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 (16 oz) jar salsa
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1½ cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro and sour cream, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef with the onion over medium-high heat for 6 minutes. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook 1 minute. Drain excess fat.
2. Stir in the black beans, corn, salsa, and cooked pasta. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Scatter the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
4. Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden. Serve topped with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.

20. Million Dollar Spaghetti

The most indulgent baked spaghetti you will ever make — spaghetti layered over a rich, creamy mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese, topped with a bold meat sauce and melted mozzarella, baked until golden and bubbling. Every layer adds something extraordinary. A wonderful addition to our best pasta recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spaghetti, cooked al dente
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• ½ cup butter, sliced
• 2 cups mozzarella, shredded
• ½ cup parmesan, grated
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Brown the ground beef, drain fat, and stir in marinara sauce. Simmer 5 minutes.
2. Beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese until smooth.
3. Layer the dish: scatter butter slices on the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish. Add half the spaghetti. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the pasta. Add the remaining spaghetti. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the top. Scatter mozzarella and parmesan over everything.
4. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbling. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

19. Beef Taco Casserole

A crowd-pleasing, deeply flavourful casserole with all the beloved taco flavours baked into one dish — seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, salsa, and melted cheese layered and baked until golden and bubbling. Topped with your favourite taco toppings for a complete and satisfying dinner. A wonderful recipe from our best casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles
• 1 cup salsa
• 8 corn or flour tortillas, cut into strips
• 2 cups cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, shredded
• Toppings: sour cream, guacamole, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the beef over medium-high heat. Drain fat. Add taco seasoning per packet instructions. Stir in the beans, corn, Rotel, and salsa. Simmer 5 minutes.
2. Spread half the beef mixture in a greased 9x13 baking dish. Layer half the tortilla strips over the beef. Scatter half the cheese. Repeat the layers: remaining beef, remaining tortilla strips, remaining cheese.
3. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
4. Rest 5 minutes before serving. Top with sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes, and jalapeños.

18. Beefy Pasta Bake

A hearty, comforting, and deeply satisfying baked pasta — ground beef in a rich marinara sauce combined with pasta and topped with layers of melted mozzarella and parmesan, baked until golden and bubbly. Simple ingredients and maximum flavour. A wonderful addition to our best ground beef casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz penne or rigatoni, cooked al dente
• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red chilli flakes (optional)
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella, shredded
• ½ cup parmesan, grated
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef with onion over medium-high heat. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and chilli flakes. Cook 1 minute. Drain excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer 5 minutes.
2. Combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Stir in the ricotta and half the mozzarella.
3. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and all the parmesan.
4. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the top is golden, bubbling, and lightly browned. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

17. Taco Bake

A quick and incredibly popular weeknight dinner — seasoned ground beef with taco spices topped with a golden crescent roll or biscuit topping and melted cheese, baked in a single dish for a fun Tex-Mex casserole that kids and adults love equally. A wonderful addition to our best casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• ½ cup water
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
• 1 (10 oz) can Rotel, drained
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 (8 oz) tube crescent roll dough
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• Sour cream, lettuce, and tomatoes, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain fat. Add taco seasoning and water. Stir in the black beans, Rotel, and salsa. Simmer 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
2. Transfer the beef mixture to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Scatter half the cheese over the beef.
3. Unroll the crescent roll dough and lay it over the top of the beef and cheese, pressing the seams together to create an even topping layer. Scatter the remaining cheese over the dough.
4. Bake for 18–22 minutes until the crescent roll top is deeply golden. Serve topped with sour cream, lettuce, and tomatoes.

16. Tater Tot Casserole

The beloved Midwestern classic — ground beef and mixed vegetables in a rich, homemade savoury sauce topped with a layer of crispy tater tots baked until golden and perfectly crunchy. Made without condensed soup, using a simple roux and beef stock for a far superior result. A wonderful recipe from our best casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1½ cups beef stock
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Brown the ground beef with onion over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Drain excess fat.
2. Add butter to the pan. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the beef stock until smooth. Add Worcestershire sauce. Simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the frozen vegetables and season generously.
3. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Scatter the cheddar over the beef mixture. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the top, covering completely.
4. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the tater tots are deeply golden and crispy and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.

15. One Skillet Cheesy Hamburger Pasta

A brilliantly easy one-skillet dinner — ground beef, pasta, tomatoes, and beef broth all cooked together in one pan until the pasta is perfectly al dente and the sauce has reduced to a rich, creamy, cheesy coating. Ready in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. Perfect for meal prep and weeknight dinners. A wonderful addition to our best ground beef recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 12 oz elbow macaroni or small shells, uncooked
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef with onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook 1 minute. Drain excess fat.
2. Add the uncooked pasta, beef broth, and undrained diced tomatoes. Stir to combine. Season generously.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar until completely melted and creamy. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately directly from the skillet.

14. Shepherd's Pie

A timeless, deeply comforting British classic — a rich, savoury filling of ground lamb (or beef for cottage pie) with vegetables in a thick, flavourful gravy, topped with a generous layer of creamy mashed potato and baked until the top is golden and slightly crispy. A wonderful recipe from our best comfort food recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground lamb (or beef for cottage pie)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup beef or chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Mashed potato topping: 2.5 lbs potatoes (boiled and mashed) + 4 tablespoons butter + ½ cup warm milk + salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Brown the ground meat with onion and carrots over medium-high heat. Add garlic and flour and cook 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, and broth. Simmer 8–10 minutes until thickened. Add peas and season generously.
2. Make the mashed potato topping: mash the boiled potatoes with butter and warm milk until smooth and creamy. Season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Transfer the meat filling to a baking dish. Spread the mashed potato over the top, creating peaks with a fork for extra crispiness.
4. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the potato top is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

13. Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

The ultimate comfort food mashup — a hearty, boldly seasoned beef chilli base topped with melted cheese and a layer of crispy tater tots that are baked until shatteringly golden on top. All the flavours of chilli cheese fries but in a completely satisfying casserole format. A wonderful recipe from our best casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
• Sour cream and sliced jalapeños, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Brown the ground beef with onion over medium-high heat. Add garlic, chilli powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook 1 minute. Drain fat. Stir in kidney beans and diced tomatoes. Season and simmer 10 minutes.
2. Transfer the chilli to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Scatter 1 cup of cheddar over the chilli.
3. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering the entire surface. Scatter the remaining cheddar over the tater tots.
4. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the tater tots are deeply golden and crispy. Serve with sour cream and jalapeños.

12. Taco Casserole (Whole30, Paleo, Low Carb)

A completely clean, allergen-friendly, and deeply satisfying taco casserole — ground beef with taco spices, peppers, onions, and cauliflower rice in place of regular rice, topped with a simple avocado salsa. Whole30, paleo, and low carb without sacrificing any of the bold taco flavour. A wonderful addition to our best casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin + ½ teaspoon smoked paprika + ½ teaspoon oregano
• 1 (14 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 3 cups cauliflower rice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Topping: 2 ripe avocados (diced) + 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved) + lime juice + fresh cilantro

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the beef with onion and bell pepper. Add garlic and all spices. Cook 1 minute. Drain fat. Stir in diced tomatoes and season generously.
2. Stir in the cauliflower rice and mix to combine. The cauliflower rice absorbs all the flavours beautifully and cooks in the oven.
3. Transfer to a greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes.
4. Make the avocado topping: gently toss the diced avocado with cherry tomatoes, lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Spoon generously over the hot casserole and serve immediately.

11. Ultimate Tater Tot Casserole

The definitive tater tot casserole — ground beef in a rich, creamy, cheesy sauce topped with a full layer of crispy tater tots baked until perfectly golden and crunchy on top while bubbling with cheesy flavour underneath. The most satisfying version of this American comfort food classic. A wonderful recipe from our best casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef with onion over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Drain fat.
2. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, beef broth, Worcestershire, and garlic powder until smooth. Season generously. Add 1 cup of cheddar and stir until melted.
3. Pour the beef mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Arrange the tater tots in a tight single layer over the entire surface. Scatter the remaining cheddar over the tater tots.
4. Bake for 45–50 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy and the sauce is bubbling. Serve immediately.

10. Cottage Pie with Ground Beef

The British classic that uses beef rather than lamb — a deeply savoury ground beef and vegetable filling in a rich gravy, crowned with golden, creamy mashed potato. Cottage pie is technically the beef version of shepherd's pie and is one of the most satisfying comfort food dishes in existence. A wonderful recipe from our best comfort food recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 2 lbs potatoes, boiled and mashed with butter and milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Brown the beef with onion, carrots, and celery over medium-high heat. Add garlic and flour. Cook 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, and broth. Simmer 10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Add peas and season generously.
2. Make creamy mashed potatoes: mash the boiled potatoes with plenty of butter, warm milk, salt, and pepper until silky smooth.
3. Spoon the beef mixture into a baking dish. Spread the mashed potato evenly over the top using a spatula, then run a fork across the surface to create ridges — these will brown beautifully in the oven.
4. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the top is golden. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

9. Stuffed Pepper Bake

All the beloved flavours of classic stuffed peppers in a completely effortless deconstructed casserole — ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and diced bell peppers baked together with melted cheese for a hearty, satisfying dinner that requires none of the individual pepper-stuffing work. A wonderful addition to our best casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 3 bell peppers (red, green, and yellow), diced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1½ cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups mozzarella or cheddar, shredded

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef with onion and bell peppers over medium-high heat. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook 1 minute. Drain fat.
2. Stir in the uncooked rice, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth. Season generously. Bring to a simmer and cook 2 minutes.
3. Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Cover tightly with foil.
4. Bake for 45 minutes until the rice is cooked through. Remove foil, scatter the cheese over the top, and bake 10 more minutes until melted and golden. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

8. Bacon Cheeseburger Sweet Potato Tater Tot Casserole

A spectacular Midwestern hotdish mashup — all the flavours of a bacon cheeseburger with a sweet potato tater tot crust that adds a delightful sweet-savoury contrast to the rich, cheesy beef filling. Bold, creative, and completely irresistible. A wonderful addition to our best casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 (28 oz) bag sweet potato tater tots
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef with onion over medium-high heat. Add garlic. Drain fat. Stir in the crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, beef broth, and Worcestershire. Season and mix thoroughly.
2. Transfer the beef mixture to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Scatter 1 cup of cheddar over the top.
3. Arrange the sweet potato tater tots in a tight single layer over the cheese. Scatter the remaining cheddar over the tots.
4. Bake for 40–45 minutes until the sweet potato tots are golden and crispy. Serve immediately.

7. Easy Layered Enchilada Casserole

A magnificent and deeply satisfying beef enchilada casserole — layers of corn tortillas, seasoned ground beef, red enchilada sauce, black beans, and melted cheese stacked and baked into a hearty, flavourful Mexican-inspired casserole. Ready in 40 minutes and a complete crowd-pleaser. A wonderful recipe from our best casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 (19 oz) can red enchilada sauce
• 12 corn tortillas
• 3 cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded
• Sour cream, guacamole, and fresh cilantro, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the beef with onion over medium-high heat. Add garlic and taco seasoning. Drain fat. Stir in black beans and corn.
2. Spread ¼ cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish. Layer 4 corn tortillas, overlapping, over the sauce. Add half the beef mixture, ⅓ of the remaining enchilada sauce, and 1 cup of cheese. Repeat the layers: tortillas, beef, sauce, cheese. Finish with a final layer of tortillas, the last of the enchilada sauce, and all remaining cheese.
3. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 more minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
4. Rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, and fresh cilantro.

6. Crescent Roll Taco Bake

A fun, quick, and completely irresistible dinner recipe — seasoned ground beef and beans baked under a golden, flaky crescent roll topping with melted cheese. The crescent rolls create a beautiful, buttery crust that makes this casserole feel genuinely special. A wonderful recipe from our best casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 (15 oz) can refried beans
• ½ cup salsa
• 1½ cups cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, shredded and divided
• 1 (8 oz) tube crescent roll dough
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and jalapeños, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain fat. Add taco seasoning per packet directions. Stir in refried beans and salsa until combined and smooth. Simmer 3 minutes.
2. Pour the beef and bean mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Scatter 1 cup of cheese over the top.
3. Unroll the crescent roll dough and lay over the filling, pressing seams together to form a sealed topping. Brush with beaten egg. Scatter remaining cheese over the crescent roll top.
4. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the crescent roll crust is deeply golden. Serve with sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and jalapeños.

5. Walking Taco Casserole with Cream Cheese

A wildly fun and completely delicious casserole inspired by the beloved walking taco — seasoned ground beef with cream cheese and salsa baked under a crunchy Fritos layer with melted cheese, topped at the table with all the classic taco toppings. Bold, creamy, crunchy, and completely satisfying. A wonderful recipe from our best casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
• 2 cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded
• 2 cups Fritos corn chips
• Toppings: shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, diced tomatoes, pickled jalapeños

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain fat. Add taco seasoning per packet instructions. Reduce heat to low. Add the cream cheese cubes and stir until completely melted into the meat.
2. Stir in the salsa and black beans. Simmer 3 minutes until everything is combined. Season to taste.
3. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Scatter 1 cup of shredded cheese over the top. Add a layer of Fritos chips. Scatter the remaining cheese over the Fritos.
4. Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Add the second cup of Fritos right before serving for extra crunch. Top with lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, tomatoes, and jalapeños.

4. One Skillet Mexican Casserole

A complete, hearty, and boldly flavourful Mexican meal made in just one skillet — ground beef, rice, black beans, corn, salsa, and taco spices all cooked together in a single pan, then topped with cheese and broiled until melted and golden. Minimal cleanup, maximum flavour. A wonderful addition to our best Mexican recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1½ cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded
• Fresh cilantro and sour cream, for serving

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef with onion and bell pepper in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and taco seasoning. Cook 1 minute. Drain excess fat.
2. Stir in the uncooked rice, beef broth, black beans, corn, and salsa. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce to a low simmer, cover tightly, and cook for 18–20 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. Stir once halfway through.
4. Scatter the cheese over the top. Broil for 2–3 minutes until melted and golden. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with sour cream alongside.

3. Taco Macaroni and Beef Bake

A brilliant mashup of macaroni and cheese with Tex-Mex flavours — elbow macaroni combined with seasoned ground beef, salsa, black beans, and taco spices, topped with melted cheddar and baked until golden. All the comfort of mac and cheese with the bold flavours of taco night. A wonderful recipe from our best casserole recipes. Also see our pantry staples used in this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
• 1 (10 oz) can Rotel, drained
• 1 cup salsa
• ½ cup beef broth
• 2½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Sour cream and fresh cilantro, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the beef with onion over medium-high heat. Add garlic and taco seasoning. Drain fat. Stir in black beans, Rotel, salsa, and beef broth. Simmer 5 minutes.
2. Combine the beef mixture with the cooked macaroni and 1½ cups of cheese in a large bowl. Toss until evenly mixed. Season generously.
3. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Scatter the remaining cheese evenly over the top.
4. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden, the cheese is bubbling, and the casserole is heated through. Serve with sour cream and fresh cilantro.

2. Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole

A casserole version of the iconic million dollar spaghetti — spaghetti layered over a rich, creamy mixture of cream cheese and sour cream, topped with a deeply savoury ground beef meat sauce and blanket of melted mozzarella. Baked until golden and completely magnificent. A wonderful addition to our best pasta recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spaghetti, cooked al dente
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup parmesan, grated
• 4 tablespoons butter, sliced thin
• 2 cups mozzarella, shredded
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Brown the beef, drain fat, add Italian seasoning, and stir in marinara. Simmer 5 minutes.
2. Beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, and parmesan until smooth. This creamy layer is what makes this casserole "million dollar."
3. Scatter the thin butter slices over the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish. Add half the cooked spaghetti. Spread the entire cream cheese mixture over the pasta. Add the remaining spaghetti. Pour all the meat sauce evenly over the top. Scatter mozzarella generously over everything.
4. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until deeply golden. Rest 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

1. Ground Beef Cobbler

One of the most brilliant and satisfying comfort food recipes — a rich, deeply savoury ground beef and vegetable filling baked under a golden, fluffy biscuit crust that puffs up beautifully as it bakes. All the comfort of a pot pie with far less effort. A wonderful recipe from our best ground beef casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder + 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Biscuit topping: 2 cups Bisquick or self-raising flour + 1 cup milk + ½ cup melted butter — stir together until just combined
• 1½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef with onion over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Drain fat. Stir in frozen vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season generously. Simmer 5 minutes.
2. Pour the beef filling into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Scatter the cheddar over the filling.
3. Make the biscuit topping by stirring together the Bisquick, milk, and melted butter until just combined — do not overmix. Pour and spread the biscuit batter evenly over the cheese and filling.
4. Bake for 30–35 minutes until the biscuit topping is deeply golden and cooked through and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

FAQs

What is the best way to drain ground beef?

Draining the fat from browned ground beef is an important step in casserole cooking as excess fat makes the final dish greasy and dilutes the flavour of the sauce. The simplest method is to tilt the pan and use a large spoon to scoop the rendered fat into a heat-safe bowl, then discard it. Alternatively, use a colander lined with paper towels — transfer the browned beef to the colander and let the fat drain into a bowl below. For very lean ground beef (93% lean or higher), so little fat renders that draining is unnecessary. Never pour hot cooking fat down the sink drain as it solidifies and causes blockages — always cool and discard in the bin. For casseroles that call for browning in the same dish, draining thoroughly before adding other ingredients prevents the final casserole from being watery or greasy.

Can I make these casseroles ahead of time?

The majority of these casseroles are excellent make-ahead dishes. Most can be assembled completely, covered tightly with foil, and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking — simply add 10–15 extra minutes to the bake time since the dish will be cold from the fridge. The pasta bakes, million dollar spaghetti, enchilada casserole, stuffed pepper bake, and ground beef cobbler all work particularly well this way. For casseroles with tater tot toppings, add the tots just before baking rather than assembling ahead — frozen tots that have thawed and been refrigerated will not crisp up properly. Most of these casseroles also freeze beautifully: assemble in a foil baking dish, cover with two layers of foil, freeze for up to 3 months, and bake directly from frozen at the original temperature for 1.5 times the original bake time.

How do I know when a casserole is done?

A casserole is done when it meets three criteria: it is hot all the way through, the topping is golden and set, and it is bubbling around the edges. For casseroles with raw rice or uncooked pasta incorporated into the filling, the most reliable test is to insert a knife into the centre and check that the rice or pasta is tender when you taste a small piece. For casseroles with tater tot or biscuit toppings, the crust should be deeply golden — pale or blonde means it needs more time. The bubbling around the edges indicates the filling is fully heated through. If the top is browning too quickly before the filling is done, cover loosely with foil and continue baking. Internal temperature for any casserole containing ground beef should reach 165°F at the centre — this ensures the meat is completely safe to eat.

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