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A close-up shot showing the texture of the cheesy ground beef and macaroni casserole, with melted cheese stretching from the dish.

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
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.