🍝 Angel Beef Casserole
Creamy, cheesy, hearty, and wonderfully comforting, Angel Beef Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, tender angel hair pasta, creamy mushroom sauce, and plenty of melted cheddar. It’s an easy family dinner that comes together with simple pantry staples and bakes into a bubbling, golden casserole everyone will love.
⏱ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: About 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
🛒 Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup (240 g) sour cream
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 oz (225 g) angel hair pasta, cooked and drained
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika, optional
- ½ cup (120 ml) beef broth or milk, optional, for loosening the sauce
For the Topping — Optional
- ½ cup additional shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
🔥 1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little butter.
Set aside.
🍝 2. Cook the Angel Hair Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the angel hair according to the package directions until just al dente.
Drain well.
Don’t overcook the pasta because it will continue cooking in the oven.
Set aside.
🥩 3. Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
If there is a large amount of excess grease, drain it.
🧅 4. Add the Onion & Garlic
Add the chopped onion to the skillet.
Cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds, until fragrant.
🥣 5. Make the Creamy Beef Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add:
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Sour cream
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Paprika, if using
Stir until everything is thoroughly combined.
If the mixture seems especially thick, stir in ¼–½ cup beef broth or milk until it reaches a creamy, spoonable consistency.
Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
🧀 6. Add the Cheese
Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
Continue stirring until the cheese melts into the sauce.
Remove the skillet from the heat.
🍝 7. Combine With the Pasta
Add the cooked angel hair pasta to the skillet.
Gently toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy beef mixture.
Be gentle—the delicate angel hair can break easily.
🥘 8. Assemble the Casserole
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Spread it into an even layer.
Sprinkle the additional cheddar cheese over the top if using.
For an extra cheesy crust, add the Parmesan as well.
🔥 9. Bake
Cover the casserole loosely with aluminum foil.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until:
- The edges are bubbling
- The cheese is melted
- The top is lightly golden
For a more deeply browned top, place it under the broiler for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching carefully.
🌿 10. Rest & Serve
Remove the casserole from the oven.
Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Spoon onto plates and serve hot.
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Don’t Overcook the Angel Hair
Since the pasta goes into the oven, cooking it just to al dente prevents it from becoming mushy.
Brown the Beef Well
A good sear gives the casserole much more savory flavor.
Drain Excess Grease
This keeps the creamy sauce from becoming oily.
Don’t Boil the Sour Cream
Keep the sauce at a gentle temperature once the sour cream is added to prevent it from separating.
Make It Extra Cheesy
For an especially gooey casserole, use a combination of cheddar and mozzarella.
🥦 Easy Variations
Mushroom Beef Casserole
Add 1 cup sliced mushrooms when cooking the onion.
Cheesy Broccoli Beef
Stir in 1½ cups steamed broccoli florets before transferring the mixture to the baking dish.
Spicy Angel Beef
Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Garlic Parmesan
Use ½ cup cheddar + ½ cup Parmesan for a richer cheese flavor.
French Onion Style
Replace the chopped onion with 2 cups caramelized onions and top with extra cheese.
Extra Vegetable
Add diced bell pepper, peas, spinach, or zucchini for a more substantial meal.
🍽️ What to Serve With It
Because this casserole is rich and creamy, fresh sides work beautifully:
- Green salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Green beans
- Roasted asparagus
- Garlic bread
- Dinner rolls
- Simple tomato salad
🧊 Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before covering and refrigerating.
Refrigerator: Up to 3–4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the casserole covered in a 325°F (165°C) oven until hot.
If the pasta seems dry when reheating, add a splash of milk or broth.
❄️ Freezing
Assemble the casserole without baking and allow it to cool completely if the ingredients are warm.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil.
Freeze: Up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
You can also freeze baked portions individually.
🍝🧀 Recipe Summary
Angel Beef Casserole is the kind of cozy, old-fashioned dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights: savory ground beef, tender angel hair pasta, creamy mushroom sauce, tangy sour cream, Worcestershire, and melted cheddar all baked together until bubbling and golden.
Creamy, cheesy, comforting, and wonderfully easy—classic family casserole perfection. 🍝🥩🧀