Ingredients
Meat & Protein
- 1 lb lean ground beef
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (with juice)
Liquids
- 1 cup beef broth
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until it’s fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Onion and Garlic: Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent, and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add Pasta and Tomatoes: Pour in the uncooked elbow macaroni, the canned diced tomatoes with their juice, and the beef broth. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Season and Simmer: Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and Italian herbs. Stir to incorporate, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the pasta to start softening and flavors to meld.
- Fold in Some Cheese: Add half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet, folding it into the mixture so it melts evenly throughout.
- Assemble and Top: Transfer the cheesy beef and pasta mixture to a greased oven-safe baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before scooping onto plates. Enjoy warm!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef if preferred.
- Add diced bell peppers or mushrooms for extra veggies and flavor.
- Try using a mix of cheeses, like mozzarella and Monterey Jack, for a different twist.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days—reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
