This Cheesy Beef and Pasta Casserole is easy comfort food made with ground beef, mushrooms, tomato sauce, pasta, and melted mozzarella. A cozy family dinner that is freezer-friendly and perfect for busy nights.
Updated May 2026: This post has been refreshed with clearer instructions, updated tips, and a de-sponsored recipe approach while keeping the original comfort food flavor.
Cheesy Beef and Pasta Casserole
Get your forks ready because this Cheesy Beef and Pasta Casserole is the kind of dinner that makes everyone suddenly appear in the kitchen.
It’s loaded with seasoned ground beef, mushrooms, tomato sauce, tender pasta, and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese. Basically, it’s cozy comfort food in casserole form.
Why You’ll Love This Beef Pasta Casserole
- Easy family dinner
- Made with simple ingredients
- Comforting and cheesy
- Great for leftovers
- Freezer-friendly
- Perfect for busy weeknights
This is one of those recipes that can feed a hungry family without making you feel like you ran a restaurant service from your kitchen.
You can also assemble it ahead of time and bake it when needed, which makes dinner feel slightly more under control. Slightly.
What’s In This Cheesy Beef and Pasta Casserole?
This casserole uses simple, hearty ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
- Tomato sauce or marinara sauce
- Cavatelli pasta
- Mozzarella cheese
The mushrooms add extra flavor and texture, while the cheese melts over the top into a bubbly golden layer.
Can I Use A Different Pasta?
Yes. Frozen cavatelli works beautifully here because it cooks right in the casserole. However, you can also use other short pasta shapes.
If using fresh or shelf-stable pasta, cooking time may need to be adjusted. The goal is tender pasta, bubbling sauce, and melted cheese.
Make It Your Own
This recipe is easy to customize depending on what you have at home. Try adding:
- Spinach
- Bell peppers
- Zucchini
- Italian seasoning
- Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
You can also swap the ground beef for ground turkey, Italian sausage, or a mix of both.
Make-Ahead and Freezer Tips
This casserole is a great make-ahead meal. You can assemble it, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it until dinner time.
It also freezes beautifully before or after baking. If baking from frozen, add extra time and keep it covered until heated through.
What To Serve With Beef Pasta Casserole
This dish is filling on its own, but it also pairs well with:
- Garlic bread
- Green salad
- Roasted broccoli
- Caesar salad
- Steamed vegetables
Comfort food at its best.
If you try this Cheesy Beef and Pasta Casserole, tag @LivingSweetMoments. I love seeing your creations!
Cheesy Beef and Pasta Casserole
Ingredients
For Beef
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 8 ounces mushrooms chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 24 ounces tomato sauce or marinara sauce
For The Casserole
- 24 ounces frozen cavatelli pasta
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Make the Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add mushrooms and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and stir well. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Assemble The Casserole
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Spread the frozen cavatelli in a large casserole dish.
- Pour the beef sauce over the pasta and stir to combine evenly.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 5–10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Frozen cavatelli works great here because it cooks right in the casserole.
- If using fresh or shelf-stable pasta, the cooking time may need to be adjusted.
- Swap ground turkey or Italian sausage for the beef if preferred.
- Add spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini for extra veggies.
- This casserole freezes beautifully, both before and after baking.
- Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make cheesy beef and pasta casserole ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes. You can freeze it before or after baking. Wrap tightly and thaw overnight before reheating, or bake from frozen with extra time.
Can I use a different pasta?
Yes. Short pasta shapes work best. If you are not using frozen cavatelli, adjust the baking time as needed.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes. Ground turkey, Italian sausage, or a combination of meats all work well in this casserole.
You May Also Like
Cheesy Chicken Casserole
Baked Pasta With Ricotta And Spinach
Chicken Alfredo Baked Pasta
Leave a Reply