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Beef and Macaroni

  • Author: Avery
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Omnivore

Description

This Beef and Macaroni casserole is everything you want in a hearty, family-style dinner savory ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce all baked under a blanket of melted cheddar. It comes together with simple pantry staples, delivers big comfort in every bite, and feeds a crowd with minimal effort. Perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or make-ahead meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
  • 1 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (8 oz / 227 g) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Cooking spray or a little oil, for greasing the baking dish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with cooking spray or oil and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5–7 minutes or until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat.
  3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is softened and translucent.
  4. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the skillet, stirring well so the pasta is submerged and evenly distributed in the sauce.
  6. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is just tender but not mushy. If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of extra broth or water.
  7. Transfer the beef and macaroni mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
  8. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.
  10. Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5–10 minutes to set slightly. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef (around 90% lean) to keep the casserole from becoming too greasy.
  • If your skillet isn’t large enough, you can simmer the sauce and pasta, then combine everything directly in the baking dish before topping with cheese.
  • The mixture should be a bit saucy before baking; the pasta will continue to absorb liquid in the oven.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Main Course, Casserole
  • Method: Stovetop & Baked
  • Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 780 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 23 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg

Keywords: beef and macaroni, beef macaroni casserole, cheesy pasta bake, ground beef casserole, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food

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Find it online: https://averyrecipes.com/beef-and-macaroni/