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

These ground beef casseroles are classics for a reason.

By
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves is a food and beverage writer.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published April 10, 2025
Robin Shreeves
Spoonful of Johnny Marzetti Casserole lifted from the casserole dish, and in the surroundings, a stack of plates and a bowl of mixed greens salad

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Ground beef is central to so many classic and crowd-pleasing casseroles. These time-tested favorites (and new twists on classics!) are great for feeding a big group for potlucks as well as a busy family, since leftovers mean a second dinner. They reheat easily in the microwave and freeze well, too.

Grab some ground beef, get your tried-and-true casserole dish out of the cabinet, and get cooking!

  • Cowboy Casserole

    cowboy casserole in a casserole dish next to a plate with a serving

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Will Dickey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

    "Sometimes you need a stick-to-your-ribs, one-pan meal that feeds the whole family. Bonus points if it’s meaty, cheesy, and filled with taco-esque flavors with a crispy top. Cowboy casserole is all that and more—everything I look for in a hearty casserole." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Cheeseburger Casserole

    Casserole Dish of Cheeseburger Casserole with a Serving Already Served Using a Spoon

    Simply Recipes / Dude that Cookz

    This 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 nostalgic meal everyone will love.

  • Shipwreck Casserole

    shipwreck casserole in a casserole dish at a table setting with a bowl of scallions, plate, and glass of water

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "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." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Cattle Drive Casserole

    slice of Cattle Drive Casserole on a plate with a fork

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "This is everything a casserole is supposed to be—cheesy, full of flavor, and a complete meal in every bite! An easy biscuit base is piled with taco-seasoned beef, tomatoes, and green chiles, then topped with a tangy combination of sour cream and two kinds of cheese." —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 5 of 21 below

  • Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole

    Side view of a white baking dish of Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole with a serving removed and on a small plate next to a serving spoon on a small plate

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Rachel Vanni / Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh

    "In a weeknight ravioli casserole, Italian sausage is a shortcut for flavor. A million dollar version has to have Italian sausage plus ground beef as much for richness as for general heft." —Meghan Splawn, Recipe Developer

  • Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole in a casserole dish with a spoon (casserole dish missing some casserole / some of the casserole was already served)

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

    "Walking taco casserole has all the components of a walking taco from the bag served in a casserole dish for convenience. It's easily adaptable so you can enjoy it with your favorite toppings." —Karishma Pradhan, Recipe Developer

  • Philly Cheesesteak Casserole

    Spoon of Philly cheesesteak lifted from casserole.

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    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 Cheez Whiz.

  • The Best Homemade Lasagna

    Side view of a piece of lasagna on a plate.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Bakes

    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.

    Continue to 9 of 21 below

  • Beef Enchilada Casserole

    Plate with a Slice of Beef Enchilada Casserole Topped with Sour Cream, Cilantro, Jalapeno, and Sliced Avocado, Surrounded by a Half Cut Avocado, a Bowl with Side Salad, a Table Cloth, and a Casserole Dish with More

    Simply Recipes / Marta A Rivera Diaz

    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.

  • Unstuffed Peppers

    spoonful of unstuffed pepper lifted from skillet with more

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "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." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Easy Taco Casserole

    easy taco casserol in a pot at a table setting with bowls of toppings, chips on a platter, and a bottle of beer

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "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." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Moussaka

    A piece of eggplant moussaka on a plate with a glass of wine and a salad behind it.

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    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 9x13-inch casserole for this one—you'll need it for all the delicious layers.

    Continue to 13 of 21 below

  • Johnny Marzetti Casserole

    Spoonful of Johnny Marzetti Casserole lifted from the casserole dish, and in the surroundings, a stack of plates and a bowl of mixed greens salad

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "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." —Sara Bir, Recipe Developer

  • Pastelón (Puerto Rican Plantain Lasagna)

    How to Make Puerto Rican Lasagna

    Simply Recipes / Marta Diaz

    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.

  • Chili Mac and Cheese

    Spoon in Chili Mac Dish

    Simply Recipes / Aaron Hutcherson

    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.

  • Easy Shepherd's Pie

    A slice of shepherd's pie on a plate with a fork.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    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.

    Continue to 17 of 21 below

  • Healthy Shepherd's Pie

    A white baking dish filled with healthy shepherd's pie, with a wooden spoon taking a scoop

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    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

    A casserole dish with a tamale pie and a piece missing.

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

    Tamale pie isn't a traditional 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.

  • Baked Ziti

    Casserole dish of cheesy baked ziti

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Bakes

    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.

  • Mexican Lasagna

    Mexican Lasagna or taco lasagna recipe

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    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.

    Continue to 21 of 21 below

  • Mom's Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Stuffed Bell Peppers in a casserole dish

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    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.

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