Penny Saver Casserole

Stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor with this hearty Penny Saver Casserole! Packed with pantry staples like elbow macaroni, canned diced tomatoes, and frozen mixed vegetables, this family-friendly dish proves that affordable cooking can still be delicious. The combination of seasoned ground beef, fragrant garlic, and Italian spices creates a savory base, while a generous layer of melted cheddar cheese takes it to comfort food perfection. Ready in just 50 minutes and yielding six hearty servings, this easy casserole is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping on a budget. Your family will love every bite, and your wallet will thank you!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.

Step 4

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, and frozen mixed vegetables. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5-7 minutes to combine the flavors.

Step 6

Combine the cooked macaroni with the beef and vegetable mixture in a large mixing bowl. Stir until evenly mixed.

Step 7

Transfer the mixture to a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Spread it out evenly and top with the shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1818.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2744.7

Total Fat 137.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 59.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5g
Cholesterol 450.4mg	0%
Sodium 4314.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 236.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.9g	0%
Total Sugars 42.1g
Protein 147.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1159.3mg	0%
Iron 21.2mg	0%
Potassium 2753.4mg	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: 44.6%

Protein: 21.3%

Carbs: 34.2%