Description
A classic Midwestern casserole featuring pasta, ground meat, tomato sauce, and cheese, perfect for potlucks and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 pound ground beef (or turkey, sausage, or chicken)
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 egg (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Breadcrumbs for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook elbow macaroni until 1–2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain and toss with a bit of oil.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef with chopped onions and minced garlic. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced tomatoes, a splash of broth, and seasoning to the skillet. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sauce, and half of the cheese. Optionally, stir in a beaten egg for binding.
- Spread the mixture in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs if desired.
- Bake uncovered for 25–35 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
This dish is versatile; swap proteins and cheeses as desired. A great option for leftovers or make-ahead meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
