Ground Beef Macaroni Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Ground Beef Macaroni Casserole, a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy family dinner. Tender elbow macaroni is combined with savory seasoned ground beef, aromatic onions, and garlic, then simmered in a rich blend of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes for a burst of tangy flavor. Topped with a generous layer of melted cheddar cheese, this baked casserole comes together in just 45 minutes and serves six hearty portions. Featuring simple pantry staples like Italian seasoning and a touch of fresh parsley for garnish, this crowd-pleaser is as easy to make as it is satisfying. Perfect as a main dish or even a potluck favorite, this Ground Beef Macaroni Casserole is sure to become a repeat favorite in your recipe rotation.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease.

Step 6

Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Combine the cooked macaroni with the beef and tomato mixture. Mix well to ensure the macaroni is evenly coated.

Step 8

Transfer the macaroni and beef mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Spread it out evenly.

Step 9

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 10

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Step 11

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1913.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3079.8

Total Fat 179.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 83.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 541.1mg	0%
Sodium 5187.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 205.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.5g	0%
Total Sugars 31.7g
Protein 170.2g	0%

Vitamin D 48.0IU	0%
Calcium 1888.8mg	0%
Iron 21.3mg	0%
Potassium 2348.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.8%

Protein: 21.9%

Carbs: 26.4%