The Classic Casserole
Hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor, The Classic Casserole is the ultimate one-dish meal for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. This timeless recipe combines tender ground beef, aromatic garlic and onion, and perfectly cooked elbow macaroni, all smothered in a rich tomato-based sauce infused with Italian seasoning. Topped with a generous layer of melted cheddar cheese, this baked casserole strikes the perfect balance of savory and cheesy goodness. Ready in just an hour with simple pantry staples, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that serves up to six. Garnish with fresh parsley for an added burst of flavor and a touch of elegance. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or indulging in warm comfort food, this recipe is a must-try classic for any home cook.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
- 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken or beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
While the beef mixture is cooking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
To the skillet with the beef, stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken or beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the skillet and stir until evenly coated with the sauce.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
534 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.5 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.6 g | 73% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 93 mg | 31% | |
| Sodium | 1046 mg | 45% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 37.2 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.7 g | ||
| Protein | 28.6 g | 57% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 330 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 2.9 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 534 mg | 11% | |
*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.
