Hearty Cheesy Baked Casserole (Print Version)
Browned meat and pasta layered with tomatoes, mixed vegetables, sour cream and bubbling cheddar-mozzarella.
# What You 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 penne or rotini pasta
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 Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or turkey until browned. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
04 - Add frozen mixed vegetables, drained diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cooked pasta and sour cream until the mixture is evenly blended.
06 - Fold in half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese into the mixture.
07 - Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
08 - Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top. For added crunch, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter if using and scatter over the cheese.
09 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
10 - Allow casserole to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The bubbling cheese blanket hides a mess of comforting flavors—it’s my secret stress fix after a long day.
- You can toss in leftovers or any vegetable you like, so it never feels like the same old dish twice.
02 -
- If you forget to drain the tomatoes, you’ll get a soupy casserole that never really sets.
- Letting the dish rest out of the oven is what keeps those perfect, sliceable portions together instead of a cheesy mess.
03 -
- Mix your cheese fresh from blocks for the best melt—pre-shredded is tempting but less dreamy.
- A dash of hot sauce in the filling balances the creamy richness and wakes everything up.