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Cheesy Beef & Macaroni Casserole

A comforting and satisfying dish combining beef, cheese, and pasta, perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 560

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz, undrained)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for cooking beef)
  • Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish, optional)

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente (slightly firm). Drain and set aside.
Browning the Beef
  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
Adding Aromatics & Sauce
  1. Stir in onion and garlic; cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5-7 minutes to blend flavors.
Combining with Pasta
  1. Add the drained macaroni into the beef mixture and stir well to coat.
Assembling the Casserole
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the beef-pasta mixture in the dish, sprinkle with half the cheddar cheese. Add the remaining mixture, then top with mozzarella and the rest of the cheddar.
Baking the Casserole
  1. Place uncovered in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
Serving
  1. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve warm.

Notes

For a complete meal, serve with a simple green salad or garlic bread. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.