Description
Hearty ground beef casserole brings comfort straight from midwestern kitchens to dinner tables nationwide. Cheesy layers and savory ingredients create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Sauce and Cheese Components:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces / 227 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups (480 ml) cooked pasta (elbow macaroni or similar)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to create a warm culinary environment at 350°F (175°C), preparing for a hearty ground beef casserole.
- In a spacious skillet, transform the raw ground beef into a golden-brown delight over medium heat, carefully eliminating any excess fat through draining.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence.
- Incorporate diced tomatoes, rich tomato sauce, and a harmonious blend of seasonings – salt, pepper, and Italian herbs – letting the mixture simmer and meld flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the robust beef mixture, ensuring each pasta strand is lovingly coated with the savory sauce.
- Transfer the complete mixture into a generously greased casserole dish, creating a rustic canvas for the final touch of culinary artistry.
- Lavishly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, creating a golden, melty blanket of deliciousness.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden masterpiece.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest briefly before serving this comforting meal piping hot to eager diners.
Notes
- Select lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the casserole.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles.
- Prepare extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to boost nutritional value and add more texture to the dish.
- Make this recipe gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with gluten-free pasta alternatives like quinoa or chickpea pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg