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Cheesy Beef & Macaroni Casserole

This Cheesy Beef & Macaroni Casserole is a comforting, budget-friendly dish that combines tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, and a delicious blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s versatile enough to accommodate veggies or lean protein swaps and even tastes better as leftovers.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef 450g
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni 200g, uncooked
  • 1 can tomato sauce 15 oz / 425g
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz / 411g, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided; 200g
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 100g
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil optional, for cooking beef
  • fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Strainer
  • Greased baking dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the 2 cups of elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. If excess fat accumulates, drain it off.
  3. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes fragrant.
  4. Pour in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes (with their juices). Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5-7 minutes to meld the flavors.
  5. Combine the cooked macaroni with the beef and tomato mixture. Transfer half of the mixture into a greased baking dish and sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Then, add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining cheddar cheese and all of the mozzarella cheese.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and begins to brown at the edges.
  7. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

This casserole is a true crowd-pleaser and can easily be adapted to your taste. For a leaner version, substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken, and feel free to add your favorite vegetables to boost the nutrition. Remember to cook the pasta al dente since it will continue cooking during baking, ensuring a perfect texture. Leftovers are fantastic the next day, making it a great make-ahead meal option.