Description
Hearty ground beef casserole blends comfort and flavor from midwestern kitchens. Savory layers of meat, cheese, and noodles create a satisfying meal that welcomes you to the table with warmth and nostalgia.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or any short pasta, cooked)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and warm the olive oil until shimmering.
- Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles and seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
- Cook the beef until completely browned and no pink remains, then carefully drain any accumulated fat using a colander.
- Pour diced tomatoes and tomato sauce into the skillet, stirring to integrate with the meat mixture and allowing flavors to meld for 5 minutes.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain thoroughly.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the beef and tomato mixture in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, creating a complete coverage.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to set and cool slightly.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added color and flavor before serving.
Notes
- Customize the cheese by mixing in mozzarella or pepper jack for extra flavor depth and melting qualities.
- Make the dish gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with chickpea or zucchini noodles for a lighter alternative.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach during the beef sautéing stage to boost nutritional value and create more complex taste profile.
- Reduce fat content by using lean ground beef (90/10) or ground turkey, which maintains protein while cutting calories significantly.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg