When I tell you my mom was the queen of casseroles, I mean she ruled the kitchen with a Pyrex in one hand and a lesson plan in the other. She was a full-time college professor who loved a shortcut, and this beef noodle casserole was one of her go-to “weekend meal prep for the week ahead” kind of dishes.
And lucky me? I was the trusty latchkey kid she left in charge of popping it in the oven before she got home. (Which, let’s be honest, basically made me feel like a 12-year-old Top Chef!)
This recipe is warm, hearty, and totally no-fuss - just the way Mom liked it. It’s packed with ground beef, egg noodles, and a creamy tomato sauce, all tucked under a cozy layer of melty cheese. Serve it with a side salad or some crusty bread and you’ve got a full meal with serious old-school comfort vibes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 oz wide egg noodles, cooked
- 2 cups cheddar jack cheese, shredded
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Tools You’ll Use
- Cutting board + knife
- Measuring cups + spoons
- Large skillet + spatula
- Large pot + colander
- 9x13 inch casserole dish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease your casserole dish.
Dice the onion and sauté it with minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes.
While that’s cooking, boil the egg noodles according to the package instructions.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let everything simmer for a few minutes.
Drain your cooked noodles and fold them into the meat mixture.
Pour everything into the greased casserole dish, top with shredded cheese, and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm!
Why I Love This Recipe
This casserole is classic comfort food. It’s budget-friendly, uses pantry staples, and has that "stick to your ribs" goodness that fills bellies and warms hearts. And the best part? You can totally make it ahead, cover it with foil, and just bake it off when you're ready to eat.
Perfect for busy weeknights, meal trains, or anyone craving a Mom-style meal that never goes out of fashion.
Tips, Twists & Swaps
- Make it creamy – Stir in a spoonful of sour cream or cream cheese before baking for a richer sauce.
- Add veggies – Diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini sautéed with the onions work great here.
- Use what you’ve got – Swap cheddar jack for mozzarella, or use ground turkey instead of beef.
- Make it ahead – Assemble the casserole, refrigerate it, and bake it fresh when needed.
A Cozy Classic for Every Occasion
✔️ Easy weeknight dinners
✔️ Meal prep for busy families
✔️ Church potlucks or meal trains
✔️ Freezer-friendly comfort food
✔️ A nostalgic hug from your 1980s childhood
Old-Fashioned Beef Noodle Casserole
This cozy casserole is packed with seasoned ground beef, egg noodles, and melty cheese baked into the perfect meal.
Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 14./5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 oz wide egg noodles, cooked
- 2 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese
- Fresh parsley, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Chop the onion and add it to the skillet with minced garlic, saute for 5 minutes over medium heat.
- Start cooking the noodles according to the package while the onion and garlic cook.
- Once the onion and garlic cook for 5 minutes, add the ground beef, and break it apart while it cooks, until there is little or no pink to the meat.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and the seasonings to the meat mixture.
- Once the noodles are done, dump the pot into a colander to remove the water, then add the noodles to the skillet and toss everything together.
- Pour into a greased 9x13 casserole dish, top with cheese and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Top with fresh parsley to serve.
So whether you're keeping the casserole love alive or just discovering how magical ground beef + noodles + cheese can really be, this Old-Fashioned Beef Noodle Casserole deserves a permanent spot in your recipe rotation.
Now, excuse me while I go channel my inner latchkey kid and heat up a plate!
Here are some more great recipes you might love:
Retro Teriyaki Chicken & Rice Casserole - Straight Outta the 80s!
Old Fashioned Baked Meatball Casserole - Easy Weeknight Dinner!
1980s Recipes - Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
