This beef and cheese casserole combines ground beef, penne pasta, marinara sauce, and lots of cheese for a wonderfully easy weeknight dinner! It's a filling meal with tasty Italian flavors that is sure to be a family favorite! Hamburger noodle casserole is perfect for when you want a tasty meal but are limited on time.
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Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 baking pan or 2.5-3 quart baking dish.
Cook your pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions, minus about 2 minutes for an al dente firmness. Drain and rinse the cooked pasta, then set aside.
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook for about 8 minutes, breaking up the beef as it browns. Strain off grease and stir in the garlic. Cook for 2 more minutes.
Add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and chopped spinach. Stir to mix, taste, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the marinara sauce is completely warm.
Transfer the pasta into your prepared baking dish and add the beef sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat all of the pasta. Top with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese (or reserve the Parmesan cheese for garnish when serving).
Bake the casserole in your preheated oven at 400°F (205°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted. Broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese topping if desired.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil.
Notes
Don't skip cooking the pasta! You'll need it to be cooked until it is al dente so that it can finish cooking in the oven. If you skip this step, you could have crunchy, undercooked pasta.
Feel free to add some extra veggies such as bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms.
You can use homemade or store-bought marinara sauce. However, keep in mind that the kind you use will affect the flavor of the dish. So use your favorite type!