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Roast beef leftovers never tasted so good with this Leftover Pot Roast Pasta Casserole Recipe! Shredded leftover pot roast brings the casserole a rich and savory flavor, making it a hearty and satisfying dish.
Great use of my famous pot roast recipe! Serve with a side of green beans.
Best Easy Leftover Pot Roast Casserole
Growing up in an Italian household, food waste is not an option ;)! This leftover roast beef casserole is an easy dinner recipe and a great use of your pot roast from last night’s dinner. The leftover meat is often more flavorful the next day- perfect for a comforting casserole.
This will be your family’s favorite way to enjoy a leftover roast beef recipe. You will also love my Baked Ziti Recipe.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This recipe provides a creative way to repurpose leftover chuck roast, giving it new life in a completely different and delicious form.
- Ziti Pasta: Tubular pasta that holds sauce well and provides a hearty base for the casserole.
- Shredded Leftover Pot Roast: Tender, flavorful meat that adds richness and depth to the casserole.
- Fresh Thyme: A fragrant herb that enhances the overall savory profile of the dish.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the casserole.
- Parmigiano Cheese: Provides a rich and nutty taste, enhancing the cheesy goodness of the casserole.
- Bread Crumbs: Adds a crunchy texture to the top of the casserole for contrast.
- Nutmeg: Adds a warm and slightly sweet flavor to complement the savory elements.
- Heavy Cream: Creates a creamy and luscious base for the casserole.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts to create a gooey, stringy texture and contributes to the cheesy goodness.
- Gruyère Cheese: Adding a distinct nutty flavor enhances the cheese blend.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a burst of freshness and color as a garnish.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Leftover Pot Roast Casserole
While it sounds and tastes gourmet, the recipe is straightforward to follow, making it accessible for home cooks.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and saute the chopped onion and fresh thyme in olive oil until the onion becomes translucent.
Add the leftover pot roast and beef broth to the skillet and cook the meat until heated.
Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, pot roast mixture, half of the Parmigiano cheese, gruyere cheese, nutmeg, and 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream to the pan.
Mix well to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter. Transfer the pasta and pot roast mixture into the greased baking dish.
Pour the remaining 1/2 cup of heavy cream over the top of the mixture.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese, breadcrumbs, and remaining Parmigiano evenly on top of the casserole.
Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Once done, remove the pot roast casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle portions of the casserole with additional parsley.
The final result is a beautifully golden and bubbly casserole with layers of flavor, making it visually appealing for any occasion.
Substitutions
Here are a few cheese substitutions:
- Parmigiano Cheese Substitutions:
- Pecorino Romano: A sharp, salty Italian cheese that adds a robust flavor.
- Asiago: Offers a nutty and slightly sweet taste, enhancing the cheesy profile.
- Mozzarella Cheese Substitutions:
- Provolone: A semi-hard Italian cheese with a tangy flavor, perfect for melting.
- Gouda: Provides a creamy and slightly sweet alternative to mozzarella.
- Gruyère Cheese Substitutions:
- Emmental: Swiss cheese with a nutty flavor and excellent melting properties.
- Comté: A French cheese similar to Gruyère, known for its complex and nutty taste.
- Custom Blend:
- Cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack: Create a mix of sharp cheddar for depth and Monterey Jack for a creamy texture.
Variations
Here are a few recipe variations to add different twists the next time you make it:
- Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion Pot Roast Casserole: Caramelize onions until golden brown and mix them into the pot roast. Layer the casserole with crumbled blue cheese for a rich and savory combination.
- Mushroom and Spinach Pot Roast Casserole: Sauté sliced mushrooms and fresh spinach with garlic before combining them with the shredded pot roast. Add a layer of these veggies between the pasta and the pot roast mixture for added flavor and nutrition.
- Tex-Mex Pot Roast Casserole: Add diced green chilies, green pepper, black beans, and corn to the pot roast mixture. Top the casserole with a blend of Mexican cheese and cream cheese and serve with a dollop of sour cream, fresh lime juice, and fresh cilantro.
Equipment
How to Store and Reheat
Storage: Cool the casserole to room temperature before tightly covering it with plastic wrap or foil. Refrigerate for 3-4 days. I don’t recommend freezing.
Reheating (Refrigerated Casserole): Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover with foil to prevent drying and reheat for 20-30 minutes. Alternatively, reheat individual portions in the microwave with short intervals, stirring in between.
Top tips
- Use Quality Ingredients: Start with high-quality cheeses, fresh herbs, and a flavorful leftover pot roast. Quality ingredients contribute to a richer and more satisfying casserole.
- Balance Flavors: Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Taste the pot roast mixture before combining it with the pasta to ensure a well-balanced and seasoned dish.
- Thoroughly Mix Ingredients: Ensure an even distribution of ingredients by thoroughly mixing the pasta, pot roast, cheeses, and other components. This guarantees each bite is full of flavor.
FAQs
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready. This makes it a convenient dish for entertaining.
You can prepare a fresh pot roast or substitute it with cooked ground beef, shredded chicken, or even vegetarian alternatives, depending on your dietary preferences.
More Recipes
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
Easy Leftover Pot Roast Casserole
Roast beef leftovers never tasted so good with this Leftover Pot Roast Pasta Casserole Recipe! Shredded leftover pot roast brings the casserole a rich and savory flavor, making it a hearty and satisfying dish.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 lb (453 g) rigatoni pasta, ziti, or rotini
- 3–4 cups shredded or cubed leftover pot roast
- 1/2 cup beef broth, either leftover from pot roast, store-bought beef broth, or leftover gravy from roast
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 white or yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup gruyere cheese
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream + 1/2 cup for pouring on top
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley for topping
- Butter for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat, and saute the chopped onion and fresh thyme in olive oil until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the leftover pot roast and beef broth to the skillet and cook the meat until heated.
- Drain the pasta and reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
- Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, pot roast mixture, half of the Parmigiano cheese, gruyere cheese, nutmeg, and 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream to the pan. Mix well to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter. Transfer the pasta and pot roast mixture into the greased baking dish.
- Pour the remaining 1/2 cup of heavy cream over the top of the mixture.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese, breadcrumbs, and remaining Parmigiano evenly on top of the casserole.
- Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Once done, remove the pot roast casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle portions of the casserole with additional parsley.
Enjoy your delicious leftover pot roast casserole with pasta!
Notes
-
- Use Quality Ingredients: Start with high-quality cheeses, fresh herbs, and a flavorful leftover pot roast. Quality ingredients contribute to a richer and more satisfying casserole.
-
- Balance Flavors: Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Taste the pot roast mixture before combining it with the pasta to ensure a well-balanced and seasoned dish.
-
- Thoroughly Mix Ingredients: Ensure an even distribution of ingredients by thoroughly mixing the pasta, pot roast, cheeses, and other components. This guarantees each bite is full of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: American
This was a 10/10 in my house! I will say I didn’t follow the recipe exactly… like I measured with my heart in the cheese and rosemary. But oh my goodness it was so good! I will definitely be adding this to our regular rotation!
YES! Happy to hear that. So easy to make too!
Yes, follow your heart when cooking 🙂