Macaroni Ground Beef Casserole

Dive into the comforting flavors of this Macaroni Ground Beef Casserole, a hearty, cheesy baked dish that's perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Featuring tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, and a rich tomato sauce enhanced with garlic, onions, and Italian seasoning, this recipe is topped with a mouthwatering blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. The casserole bakes to bubbly perfection, creating a golden, gooey crust that's impossible to resist. Prep is quick and easy, with just 15 minutes of hands-on time, making it an effortless yet satisfying meal for busy weeknights. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch, and enjoy a dish that's equal parts cozy and crowd-pleasing!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 15 oz crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.

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-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 5

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the skillet. Stir well to combine the pasta with the beef and tomato sauce mixture.

Step 8

Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the layer.

Step 9

Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese and the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 11

Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes. If desired, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for garnish before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1727.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3891.8

Total Fat 198.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 96.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 643.6mg	0%
Sodium 4946.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 312.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.9g	0%
Total Sugars 32.9g
Protein 216.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2632.0mg	0%
Iron 26.0mg	0%
Potassium 2559.1mg	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: 45.8%

Protein: 22.2%

Carbs: 32.0%