Description
A quick and tasty dinner idea featuring ground beef, pasta, and cheese baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup pickles, chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon mustard (optional)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and set aside a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic for about 5-7 minutes until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are translucent. Drain excess fat.
- Season the beef mixture with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth, bringing it to a gentle simmer.
- Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the skillet, stirring to coat the pasta in the sauce. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, along with the chopped pickles, mustard, and ketchup if using. Mix until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Notes
- This casserole pairs well with a side salad or crusty bread.
- Feel free to customize the toppings based on your preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the casserole
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Cheeseburger Casserole, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, pasta casserole