Budget Casserole
Whip up a comforting and wallet-friendly family dinner with this hearty Budget Casserole, a recipe that combines simplicity, flavor, and value. Packed with tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, and a medley of colorful frozen vegetables, this casserole is elevated by the richness of cheddar cheese and a burst of flavor from garlic and diced tomatoes. Perfectly baked to golden, bubbly perfection in under an hour, it’s an easy weeknight meal that’s as satisfying as it is affordable. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or prepping leftovers for the week, this casserole promises to please with its wholesome ingredients, creamy texture, and irresistible cheesy finish. Optimize your meal planning with this quick-prep recipe that’s big on taste but light on your grocery bill.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups (or 15 ounces) canned diced tomatoes
- 1.5 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with butter or cooking spray.
Cook the elbow macaroni in boiling, salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, frozen mixed vegetables, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Let this mixture simmer for 5 minutes over low heat.
Combine the cooked macaroni, beef mixture, and milk in a large mixing bowl. Stir until evenly incorporated.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly and top with the shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
537 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.9 g | 40% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.2 g | 71% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 86 mg | 29% | |
| Sodium | 705 mg | 31% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 39.5 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.3 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.2 g | ||
| Protein | 25.2 g | 50% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 235 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 631 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
