Beef Macaroni Casserole: A Cheesy, Hearty Family Favorite

Get ready to dive into the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly cheesy and satisfying Beef Macaroni Casserole. This recipe is a guaranteed family-pleaser, combining a rich, savory meat sauce with tender macaroni, all baked under a glorious blanket of melted cheese. It’s the perfect, easy-to-make dish for a busy weeknight dinner that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. If you’re looking for a hearty meal that brings everyone to the table, this is it.

We’ve designed this recipe to be straightforward and foolproof, ensuring a perfect result every time. From the perfectly browned beef to the bubbly, golden-brown cheese topping, every bite is packed with classic, homestyle flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Macaroni Casserole Recipe

This isn’t just another pasta bake; it’s a dish that masters the art of comfort food. Here’s why it will become a staple in your meal rotation:

• Incredibly Flavorful: A rich and savory meat sauce made with ground beef, tomatoes, and a special blend of seasonings forms the delicious base.
• Super Cheesy: We use a generous amount of sharp cheddar and mozzarella for that irresistible cheese pull and a perfectly golden-brown crust.
• Family-Friendly: This is a meal that kids and adults will devour. It’s a classic for a reason!
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner, a potluck, or a freezer meal for later, this casserole is wonderfully versatile. Similar to our popular Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Key Ingredients for Success

The magic of this casserole lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece:

• Ground Beef: We recommend using 85/15 ground beef for the perfect balance of flavor and richness without being overly greasy.
• Macaroni: Classic elbow macaroni is the perfect shape to capture all the delicious sauce.
• Onion and Garlic: These aromatics build the essential flavor foundation for our savory meat sauce.
• Tomato Sauce & Diced Tomatoes: A combination of smooth sauce and chunky diced tomatoes creates a wonderful texture.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This is the secret ingredient that adds a deep, umami flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Cheese: A blend of sharp cheddar and mozzarella is key. Sharp cheddar provides a bold flavor, while mozzarella delivers that classic, stretchy cheese pull.
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper are all you need to perfectly season this dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create the best Beef Macaroni Casserole you’ve ever had. We’ll break it down into preparing the components and then assembling the final dish.

Part 1: Cook the Pasta and Meat Sauce

1. Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
2. Brown the Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 4-5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Part 2: Assemble and Bake the Casserole

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Combine: In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, the beef sauce, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
3. Assemble: Pour the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
4. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and all of the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
5. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly golden brown. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period is crucial, just like in a great beef lasagna recipe (coming soon), as it allows the casserole to set.

Expert Tips for the Best Casserole

Want to take your Beef Macaroni Casserole from great to absolutely unforgettable? Here are a few pro-tips:

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the macaroni until it’s just al dente (still firm to the bite). It will continue to cook in the oven, and this prevents it from becoming mushy.
• Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as smoothly. For the best cheesy results, buy blocks of cheddar and mozzarella and shred them yourself.
• Let It Rest: Allowing the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after it comes out of the oven is essential. This helps it set, making it much easier to serve clean, beautiful portions.

Customizations and Variations

This Beef Macaroni Casserole recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a great base for your own creative twists. Try some of these popular variations:

• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a little kick of heat.
• Add Veggies: Sauté some diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini with the onions to sneak in some extra vegetables.
• Different Cheeses: Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Colby, Monterey Jack, or even a Gruyere for a nuttier flavor. For a flavor profile similar to another comfort food classic, check out our Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks.

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating

This casserole is a fantastic make-ahead meal. Here’s how to handle leftovers:

• Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave. To reheat the entire casserole, cover it with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until heated through.
• Freezing: Assemble the casserole but do not bake it. Cover it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed, adding 10-15 minutes to the baking time. This method is perfect for meal prepping, much like a hearty Crockpot Beef Stew (coming soon).

Frequently Asked Questions

The Recipe Card

Beef Macaroni Casserole: A Cheesy, Hearty Family Favorite

This Beef Macaroni Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! A rich, savory ground beef and tomato sauce is tossed with tender macaroni and baked with a generous layer of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese for a perfect family-friendly dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 550

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef 85/15 recommended
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes undrained
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Equipment

• 1 9x13 inch baking dish
• 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven
• 1 Large pot

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease.
4. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
5. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, beef sauce, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well.
7. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Shred Your Own Cheese: For the smoothest, meltiest cheese topping, buy blocks of cheese and shred them yourself.
Don't Overcook Pasta: Cook the macaroni just until al dente, as it will soften more during baking.
Let It Rest: Allowing the casserole to sit for a few minutes before serving helps it set for cleaner slices.

Share Your Cheesy Creation!

We know this Beef Macaroni Casserole will be a huge hit! It’s the kind of comforting, delicious meal that creates happy memories around the dinner table. If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Snap a photo and share your masterpiece with us on Pinterest. Your feedback and creations inspire our community of home cooks!