Description
Delicious Angel Beef Casserole is a comforting and cheesy baked pasta dish featuring tender angel hair pasta, savory ground beef simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, and a creamy blend of cream cheese and sour cream. Topped with a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, this hearty casserole is perfect for a family dinner or easy meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Dairy
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the angel hair pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the chopped onion until the meat is fully cooked and the onion is tender. Drain any excess fat. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomato sauce, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Prepare Creamy Pasta Mixture: In a separate bowl, blend the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add the cooked pasta to this mixture and toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the creamy pasta mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer the beef and tomato sauce mixture on top of the pasta. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses over the beef layer.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- Freezes well; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted to taste for spiciness.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking helps it set for easier serving.
