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A close-up view of the baked ground beef casserole showing the layers of pasta, meat sauce, and melted cheese.

Beef Macaroni Casserole (The Ultimate Cheesy & Easy Recipe)

This Beef Macaroni Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! A hearty, cheesy, and easy-to-make ground beef casserole with a rich tomato sauce, baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight family 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 lean ground beef 85/15 or 90/10 recommended
  • 16 oz elbow macaroni
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 14.5 oz petite diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch Casserole Dish
  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 1 Large Pot

Instructions
 

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

Notes

Grate Your Own Cheese: For the best melting results, avoid pre-shredded cheese and grate it from a block.
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the casserole completely but do not bake. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
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