20 Ground Beef Casserole Recipes Just Like Grandma Used To Make and Love

Ground beef is a workhorse in the kitchen. I like to buy ground beef in bulk—it’s less expensive that way—and separate it into one-pound portions before freezing it. I can pull out two portions to make meatloaf and chili or one portion to make burgers for my family of three.

Ground beef is also central in many crowd-pleasing casseroles that double as potluck essentials. When not feeding a crowd, casseroles are a busy family’s best friend because leftovers mean a second dinner. They reheat easily in the microwave and freeze well, too.

You’re bound to find at least one new favorite recipe in these 20 ground beef casserole recipes, maybe more than one. Find one that speaks to you. Grab some ground beef. Get your tried-and-true casserole dish out of the cabinet. And get cooking!

Senior Editor Laurel Randolph says, “The taco seasoning packets have a thickening agent that helps to absorb some of the liquid in the salsa. This helps to thicken the liquid so the chips are coated without fully absorbing the sauce.”

Contributor Nick Evans says, “Almost every version of shipwreck casserole I’ve seen includes some sort of potato, most often lots of raw potatoes that are peeled and sliced very thinly. In my recipe, frozen hash browns make it quicker and easier. Plus, the hash browns get incredibly crispy on the bottom and top of the casserole.”

This casserole deconstructs enchiladas for an easy-to-put-together (no rolling the tortillas), family-sized casserole. Make your own enchilada sauce and taco seasoning to use in the casserole, or buy store-bought versions to make it easy on yourself. Either way, you’ll love this cheesy, mildly spicy Tex-Mex casserole.

Cheeseburger casserole is like the Hamburger Helper you ate as a kid, only much better.  Elbow pasta, ground beef, onions, tomato puree, cheese, stock, cream, and spices come together in just 45 minutes to make a meal everyone will love.

Inspired by the classic Philly cheesesteak, this meaty casserole is comfort food at its best. Full of ground beef, onions, peppers, mushrooms, cream cheese, and provolone, top it with crispy croutons and bake. If you want it to resemble the classic Philly sandwich a bit more, switch out the cream cheese for Cheese Whiz.

Lasagna is the casserole that will keep you happy for days. Layers of cheese (lots of cheese!), sauce, and noodles pull no punches here. This is simply delicious homemade lasagna the way you want lasagna to taste. Need to make it ahead? No problem. You can make it and freeze it—unbaked or baked.

Laurel says, “Using microwavable rice means you don’t have to dirty a pot making a batch of rice. You don’t even have to microwave it—the rice will finish cooking and heating up in the skillet.”

Every country in the Mediterranean region makes a version of moussaka. This version is Greek, full of ground beef (or lamb), grilled eggplant, onion, spices, béchamel, and potatoes. Pull out your deepest 9×13-inch casserole for this one. You’ll need it for all the delicious layers.

9. Johnny Marzetti Casserole

Editor Sara Bir says, “I contend that macaroni is the pasta for Johnny Marzetti. Egg noodles are also traditional, but macaroni creates a superior framework to hold the sauce and beef together. I suppose you could use penne, but doing so would push it from Marzetti to being Marzetti-inspired.”

This casserole has ground beef, noodles, and cheddar cheese—always a great combination. But it throws in some extras such as bell pepper, mushrooms, corn, and olives. It’s tasty, easy to make, hearty, and makes for great leftovers.

What do you get when you combine chili and mac and cheese? A not-too-spicy, pleasing family dinner casserole you can make and bake in a skillet or make on the stovetop and transfer to a casserole dish before baking. Serve with hot sauce on the side for those who want to spice it up.

Make this classic Puerto Rican dish with layers of sliced plantains, seasoned ground beef, capers, olives, and cheese. It’s layered like a lasagna and resembles one—and it will also feed a crowd like one—but its flavors are all Puerto Rican.

Inspired by the British version made with ground lamb, this shepherd’s pie is a ground beef version with vegetables. Top it with buttery mashed potatoes and bake until the potatoes brown on top. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese before baking, if you want, to add another layer of flavor.

Lighten up traditional shepherd’s pie by using leaner ground beef, olive oil instead of butter, stuffing it full of veggies, and topping it with mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes. Even with all the swaps, it’s full of plenty of flavor.

Tamale pie isn’t really a Mexican dish, but it is a crowd-pleaser that tastes great, budget friendly, and easily feeds a lot of people. Seasoned ground beef, corn, chilies, tomatoes, olives, raisins (for a little sweetness) and cheese fill a casserole dish. Top it with cornbread batter and bake.

Gooey, yummy baked ziti tastes similar to classic lasagna, but it’s easier to put together. This basic version has plenty of ground beef, seasoned tomato sauce, and three kinds of cheese mixed in with the pasta. Serve with a green salad.

Shake up Taco Tuesday with this Mexican-inspired version of lasagna, sometimes called Taco Lasagna. Layers of corn tortillas, seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and cheese make this casserole delicious. Optional toppings for individual slices of the bubbly dish include guacamole, sour cream, shredded lettuce, and cilantro.

A sheet pan isn’t quite a casserole… I know. But the principle is the same: adapt a favorite recipe that requires your full attention stove-side and make it hands-off in the oven. You’re licking your lips right now at the thought of these overstuffed slabs of giant quesadilla now, aren’t you?

You may argue that this isn’t a casserole, but it’s made in a casserole dish and it’s always a hit. Stuff red and yellow bell peppers with seasoned ground beef and cooked rice then bake them till they’re piping hot. Serve with a side of ketchup for dipping forkfuls into.

Laurel says, “Add some vegetables to up the nutritional value. Add diced bell peppers or tomatoes along with the onion, or toss in handfuls of fresh spinach or frozen peas at the end.”