Baked Italian Casserole
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Ingredients
Cooking Process
Recipe Note
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Steps
Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion to the skillet, and cook them together until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent, about 5 - 7 minutes.
Once the meat is cooked, drain off the fat from the skillet.
Add the spaghetti sauce to the drained beef and onion mixture in the skillet. Stir well to combine the ingredients.
While the meat is cooking, fill another pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the ziti to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (176.7°C).
Spray a 9x13 - inch baking pan with cooking spray.
Spread half of the cooked ziti noodles evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Layer the provolone cheese over the noodles in the dish.
Next, layer the sour cream on top of the provolone cheese.
Then, layer half of the meat - sauce mixture on top of the sour cream.
Add the remaining cooked ziti noodles on top of the meat - sauce layer.
Sprinkle 6 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the ziti noodles.
Top the casserole with the remaining meat - sauce mixture, parmesan cheese, and the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
Place the baking dish in the preheated 350°F (176.7°C) oven and bake for 35 minutes.
If you'd like the top of the casserole to get a touch of brown, turn the oven to broil on high and broil the casserole for 2 - 3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning!
Nutrition
Per serving (2 servings)
1026
Calories
64g
Protein
76g
Carbs
52g
Fat
1806mg
Sodium
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FAQ
Recipe Questions
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FAQ
Recipe Questions
How many servings does this Baked Italian Casserole make?
This recipe yields 1 large casserole. The exact number of individual servings isn't specified.
How long does it take to make the Baked Italian Casserole?
The total time is 55 minutes, with 20 minutes of prep time and 35 minutes of cooking time.
What can I substitute for ziti noodles?
You can substitute ziti noodles with penne pasta as stated in the recipe.
Are there any allergens in this Baked Italian Casserole?
Yes, this casserole contains dairy and wheat/gluten, which are common allergens.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (176.7°C) for baking the casserole.
How long should I cook the ground beef and onion?
Cook the ground beef and onion together for about 5 - 7 minutes until the meat is no longer pink and onions are translucent.
Substitutions
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Substitutions
ground beef round
ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork
Ground turkey and chicken are leaner and have a milder flavor compared to beef. Ground pork has a richer flavor. Cooking times may be slightly shorter for turkey and chicken as they cook faster. Make sure to use lean cuts of turkey and chicken (at least 90% lean) for a similar texture.
onion
shallots, leeks
Shallots have a milder and sweeter flavor than onions. Leeks have a more delicate onion - like flavor. You may need to adjust the quantity as shallots are more potent, and use about half the amount of shallots compared to onions. Leeks can be used in the same quantity but may take a bit longer to cook until tender.
spaghetti sauce
marinara sauce, tomato sauce with Italian seasoning
Marinara sauce is similar to spaghetti sauce but is usually thinner and has a lighter flavor. If using tomato sauce, add Italian seasoning like oregano, basil, and garlic powder to mimic the flavor of spaghetti sauce. The consistency may vary, which could affect the overall moisture of the casserole.
ziti noodles
penne pasta, rigatoni, elbow macaroni
Penne is already mentioned as an alternative in the recipe. Rigatoni is larger and has a similar shape to ziti, so it will work well. Elbow macaroni is smaller and may cook faster, so adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions. The texture of the casserole may be slightly different with elbow macaroni as it is more compact.
provolone cheese
mozzarella cheese, Monterey Jack cheese
Mozzarella is a common substitute for provolone in Italian dishes. It has a similar stretchy texture when melted. Monterey Jack is milder in flavor and creamier. Both will melt well, but the flavor profile of the casserole may change slightly.
sour cream
Greek yogurt, crème fraîche
Greek yogurt is a healthier option and has a similar tangy flavor to sour cream. It is thicker and may make the casserole a bit more dense. Crème fraîche has a richer and creamier taste. Use full - fat Greek yogurt for the best texture match.
mozzarella cheese
cheddar cheese, Colby cheese
Cheddar has a sharper flavor compared to mozzarella. Colby is milder and has a similar melting quality. Both will change the overall flavor of the casserole to be less Italian - like but will still add a cheesy element. The color of the melted cheese may also be different.
parmesan cheese
Romano cheese, Pecorino cheese
Romano and Pecorino are both hard, salty cheeses similar to parmesan. Romano has a stronger flavor, and Pecorino is made from sheep's milk. They can be used in the same quantity as parmesan, but the flavor will be more intense.
Storage & Reheating
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Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 - 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze the casserole in a freezer - safe container for up to 3 months.
Storage Tips
- • Let the casserole cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation and freezer burn.
Reheating Tips
- • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover the casserole with foil to prevent it from drying out and bake for about 20 - 25 minutes, or until heated through. If using the microwave, heat in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
Safety Notes
- • Always ensure the casserole is heated to a safe internal temperature before consuming, especially when reheating leftovers with ground beef.
Troubleshooting
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Troubleshooting
Ground beef is still pink after 7 minutes of cooking
Likely cause: The heat was too low, or the beef was in a thick layer in the skillet, preventing even cooking
Increase the heat to medium - high and continue cooking, breaking up the beef into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking. Check for doneness every minute until the beef is no longer pink.
Ziti noodles are undercooked
Likely cause: The noodles were not cooked for the full time specified on the package, or the water did not reach a full boil before adding the noodles
Return the undercooked noodles to the pot of boiling water and continue cooking according to the package instructions. Check for doneness frequently.
Casserole is dry after baking
Likely cause: The noodles were overcooked and absorbed too much moisture, or the casserole was baked for too long
Add a little bit of water or extra spaghetti sauce to the top of the casserole and cover it with foil. Bake for an additional 5 - 10 minutes to re - moisten the dish.
Casserole is bland
Likely cause: Not enough seasoning in the ground beef or spaghetti sauce
Before baking, sprinkle some salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes on top of the casserole. You can also mix a bit of extra seasoning into the meat - sauce mixture.
Provolone cheese does not melt properly
Likely cause: The oven temperature was too low, or the cheese was not evenly distributed
If the casserole is still in the oven, increase the temperature slightly and let it bake for a few more minutes. If it's already out of the oven, place it back in the oven under the broiler for a short time until the cheese melts.
Casserole burns during broiling
Likely cause: The broiler was set too high, or the casserole was left under the broiler for too long
Immediately remove the casserole from the oven. If the burning is minor, you can scrape off the burned parts. In the future, set the broiler to a lower setting and watch the casserole closely, checking every 30 seconds.