Description
Delicious Angel Beef Casserole is a comforting baked pasta dish featuring savory ground beef simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, layered with angel hair pasta and creamy cheese mixtures, then topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan for a golden, bubbly finish. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that satisfies the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
Cheese Mixture
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is browned and the onion becomes tender. Drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the minced garlic, undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the angel hair pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta well to avoid excess water in the casserole.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the sour cream and softened cream cheese. Mix thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the cooked pasta at the bottom of the dish, then spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta on top, followed by pouring the meat sauce evenly over everything.
- Add Cheese Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole to create a deliciously cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired to add a fresh touch.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the beef to vary the flavor and fat content.
- This casserole freezes well — cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months for a convenient future meal.
