Ground Beef and Noodles bake

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep & Boil the Pasta 🌾💧

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your egg noodles (or pasta of choice) and cook for 1 to 2 minutes less than the package instructions dictate for al dente. (Note: The noodles will continue to cook and absorb moisture in the oven, so keeping them slightly firm prevents them from getting mushy!)
3. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2: Brown the Beef & Build the Sauce 🥩🔥

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon, until the beef is fully browned and the onions are soft and translucent.
2. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
3. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir continuously for 1 minute until the spices become incredibly fragrant.
4. Pour in the entire jar of marinara sauce and the smaller can of tomato sauce. Stir well and let the meat sauce gently simmer for about 5 minutes to let the flavors marry.

Step 3: Toss and Layer 🏗️🧀

1. Remove the meat sauce skillet from the heat. Toss the drained, cooked noodles directly into the skillet with the sauce.
2. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese right into the warm noodles and sauce so it gets beautifully melted and distributed throughout the mixture.
3. Transfer the entire mixture evenly into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 4: The Ultimate Cheese Blanket! 🧀✨

1. Top the casserole evenly with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the ½ cup of sharp cheddar cheese.
2. Sprinkle the ¼ cup of grated parmesan uniformly across the top.