Mom's Ground Beef Casserole

Warm, hearty, and bursting with comforting flavors, Mom's Ground Beef Casserole is a timeless family favorite that's perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Featuring tender elbow macaroni tossed in a savory ground beef and tomato sauce mixture, this casserole is topped with a generous layer of melted cheddar cheese for the ultimate ooey-gooey finish. Simple ingredients like garlic, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning bring rich depth, while a quick bake in the oven ensures everything comes together effortlessly. Ready in just 45 minutes, this easy ground beef casserole serves six and is sure to satisfy with every bite. Garnish with fresh parsley for an optional touch of color and freshness. Perfect for meal prep, leftovers, or freezer-friendly cooking, this one-pan wonder is comfort food at its best!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook and crumble it until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.

Step 5

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer on low for 5 minutes to combine flavors.

Step 6

While the beef mixture simmers, cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 7

Gently mix the cooked macaroni into the skillet with the ground beef mixture until evenly combined.

Step 8

Transfer the beef and pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 11

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

Step 12

Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1694.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3161.8

Total Fat 187.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 86.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.0g
Cholesterol 571.8mg	0%
Sodium 4968.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 211.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.3g	0%
Total Sugars 27.7g
Protein 169.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1891.3mg	0%
Iron 14.0mg	0%
Potassium 2615.5mg	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: 52.5%

Protein: 21.1%

Carbs: 26.4%