Description
Old Fashioned Company Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish combining seasoned ground beef, tender egg noodles, and rich cheeses all cooked together in an Instant Pot for a quick and flavorful meal. Topped with mozzarella cheese and baked to golden perfection, this casserole is perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Seasonings
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (25 oz) jar pasta sauce, divided
Pasta
- 8 ounces egg noodles
Cheese Mixture
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown the beef and onions: Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT, add the ground beef and break it up. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until the beef is browned and onions are softened. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to evenly coat the beef.
- Add broth and deglaze: Pour in the beef broth and use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot to release any browned bits stuck to the surface. This step prevents the burn warning on the Instant Pot. Turn off the Instant Pot after deglazing.
- Add noodles and sauce: Sprinkle the egg noodles evenly over the beef mixture. Then pour half of the pasta sauce evenly over the noodles to distribute the flavor as the noodles cook.
- Pressure cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Press the manual/pressure cook button and set the time for 1 minute. When cooking completes, allow the pot to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes natural release, then carefully turn the valve to venting to release remaining pressure. Remove the lid.
- Mix cheese and layer: In a separate bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, and shredded parmesan cheese, stirring well. Spread this cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Next, spread the remaining half of pasta sauce over the top to cover the cheese layer.
- Bake with mozzarella: If you have an air fryer lid for your Instant Pot, place it on top and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top and bake for an additional 3 minutes until melty and slightly golden. If you don’t have the air fryer lid, transfer the stainless steel pot to a conventional oven preheated to 350°F and bake for 25 minutes. Afterward, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the casserole and bake for 5 more minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Remove from oven or air fryer lid and allow to cool slightly. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting Old Fashioned Company Casserole!
Notes
- Be sure to scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot when adding broth to prevent the burn error.
- If you don’t have an air fryer lid or oven-safe pot, you can transfer the casserole to a separate baking dish before baking mozzarella cheese topping.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the casserole hearty but not oily.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
