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Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake

Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake: Comfort Food Done Your Way

Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake is a hearty, budget-friendly dish that blends pasta and savory beef with a gooey cheese topping.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Elbow Macaroni Cook al dente for best texture.
For the Beef Mixture
  • 1 lb Ground Beef Opt for lean beef to reduce grease.
  • 1 medium Diced Onion Shallots can be used for milder flavor.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Fresh garlic is best; garlic powder is a quick alternative.
  • 14.5 oz Diced Tomatoes (canned, with juice) Substitute with fresh tomatoes if desired.
  • 8 oz Tomato Sauce Crushed tomatoes can work as a substitute.
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning Create your own blend if preferred.
  • 1 tsp Salt Adjust according to personal taste.
  • 1 tsp Pepper Adjust according to personal taste.
For the Cheesy Topping
  • 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese Mix with Monterey Jack for a different take.
  • 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Pecorino Romano can be used as an alternative.

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large skillet
  • 9x13-inch casserole dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  2. Bring salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef for 6-8 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat.
  4. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
  5. Mix in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
  6. Gently fold the drained pasta into the skillet, stirring until well-coated.
  7. Layer half of the pasta mixture in the casserole dish, sprinkle half of the cheddar on top, layer the remaining pasta, and finish with cheddar and Parmesan.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbling.
  9. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 28gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Opt for lean beef and cook pasta al dente for best texture. Customize with your choice of vegetables or cheese blends.

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