Beef Ricotta Casserole Recipe
A hearty and comforting Beef Ricotta Casserole featuring lean ground beef, sautéed mushrooms, and a blend of creamy cheeses topped with fresh herbs, baked to bubbly perfection. This easy-to-make casserole combines savory tomato sauce with aromatic oregano and rosemary, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 lb. extra lean ground beef
- 8 oz. sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 red onion, small dice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauces & Vinegars
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
Cheeses
- 15 oz. part skim ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
Herbs & Spices
- 2 tsp. fresh oregano, chopped
- 2 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown Beef and Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the extra lean ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Add sliced mushrooms, diced red onion, and minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until the mushrooms begin to soften and the onions become translucent.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: Stir in the tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar, reduce heat to low, and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the beef and tomato mixture into a 2-quart oven-safe casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
- Mix Cheese and Herbs: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, chopped oregano, and rosemary. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Layer Cheese Mixture: Spoon the cheese and herb mixture evenly on top of the meat and tomato layer in the casserole dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is hot, melted, and bubbly.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, consider adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the vegetables.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and rosemary if fresh is unavailable.
- To make this dish lower in calories, use reduced-fat ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set and make slicing easier.
- This casserole pairs well with a light green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
Keywords: beef ricotta casserole, baked beef casserole, cheesy beef casserole, easy weeknight dinner, ground beef recipes
Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/beef-ricotta-casserole-recipe/
