Cheesy Beef, Rice & Pasta Bake (Family Comfort Casserole)
This cozy oven bake is the ultimate comfort food: tender pasta shells, seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, sweet bell peppers, and a blanket of bubbly melted cheese. It’s hearty, budget-friendly, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
- 250 g (about 3 cups) medium pasta shells
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the pasta
Boil shells in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside. - Brown the beef
In a large pan over medium heat, add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Sauté 2 minutes.
Add ground beef, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned. - Add the veggies
Stir in diced bell peppers and cook 3–4 minutes until slightly soft. - Make the mixture
Add tomato sauce and cooked rice to the beef mixture. Stir well and simmer 2–3 minutes. - Combine with pasta
In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the beef-rice mixture. - Assemble
Transfer to a greased baking dish. Top generously with mozzarella. - Bake
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden. - Serve hot
Let it rest 5 minutes, then scoop and enjoy that cheesy pull!
Tips
- Add sliced olives or mushrooms for extra flavor.
- Swap beef for ground chicken or turkey.
- Sprinkle chili flakes if you like heat.
Enjoy!