Description
Cheesy Beef & Macaroni Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish made with tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of gooey cheese. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds (680 g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound macaroni or elbow pasta
- 24 oz pasta sauce
- 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni until just under al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add diced onion and garlic. Cook for about 4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- In a large bowl or the pasta pot, mix cooked pasta with meat sauce and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
- Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Add sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra vegetables.
- Swap ground beef for turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat.
- Use different cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or Mexican blend for variety.
- Mix in a little sour cream or cream cheese for a creamier texture.
- Undercook the pasta slightly so it doesn’t get mushy while baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
