Cheesy Ground Beef & Tomato Bake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup sour cream (or heavy cream for richer texture)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup cooked pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Cook the beef
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until soft.
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Add ground beef, breaking it apart. Cook until browned. Drain excess grease. - Season
Stir in salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
Add diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Simmer 5 minutes. - Make it creamy
Turn off heat and stir in sour cream until fully combined. - Assemble
Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
Top with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. - Bake
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden. - Finish
Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with garlic bread
- Add a side salad
- Spoon over rice
- Or enjoy as-is for a low-carb option
Tip
If you love super cheesy casseroles (and judging from your recipes, you do 😉), add an extra 1/2 cup mozzarella on top during the last 10 minutes.