Macaroni Cheddar Beef Bake
Savor the comforting flavors of a hearty **Macaroni Cheddar Beef Bake**, the ultimate family-friendly dinner that blends tender elbow macaroni, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy, homemade cheddar cheese sauce into one irresistible dish. This recipe stands out with its rich layers of flavor—think sautéed onions and garlic, a touch of tomato paste for depth, and a fragrant sprinkle of Italian seasoning and paprika. Topped with gooey melted cheddar, this bake is oven-finished to golden perfection in just 25 minutes, making it an ideal choice for easy weeknight meals or casual gatherings. With a prep time of only 15 minutes and a serving size of six, this cheesy casserole hits all the right notes for taste, convenience, and crowd-pleasing appeal. Garnish with fresh parsley for a hint of color and take comfort food to the next level with every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned, drained)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to stir until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
Remove the saucepan from heat and add 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and combined. Reserve the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese for topping.
Combine the cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, and beef mixture in a large bowl. Mix until evenly distributed.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden.
Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy your homemade Macaroni Cheddar Beef Bake!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 171.2 g | 219% | |
| Saturated Fat | 88.2 g | 441% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 605 mg | 202% | |
| Sodium | 4682 mg | 204% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 209.3 g | 76% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.7 g | 56% | |
| Total Sugars | 31.5 g | ||
| Protein | 172.2 g | 344% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.6 mcg | 13% | |
| Calcium | 1904 mg | 146% | |
| Iron | 21.6 mg | 120% | |
| Potassium | 2632 mg | 56% | |
*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.
