Description
This Cheesy Beef and Macaroni Casserole is a bubbling, golden-topped hug in a dish. It’s rich, hearty, and easy to throw together—perfect for busy weeknights, comforting family dinners, or cozy leftovers the next day. With seasoned ground beef, tender elbow pasta, and a blanket of melted cheddar, it’s a classic crowd-pleaser. Ideal for anyone looking for quick dinner ideas, easy casserole recipes, or satisfying comfort food. This one-pot wonder is also great for batch cooking and makes a tasty, affordable addition to your easy dinner lineup.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
8 oz elbow macaroni
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
15 oz tomato sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned.
4. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté until softened.
5. Stir in tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
6. Combine cooked macaroni with beef mixture; mix well.
7. Transfer to a baking dish and sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly on top.
8. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor.
You can make this ahead and refrigerate before baking for up to 24 hours.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: cheesy casserole, ground beef dinner, pasta bake, comfort food, weeknight meals