Cheesy Beef and Pasta Bake
This scrumptious cheesy beef and pasta bake combines tender ground beef, al dente pasta, and a creamy cheese sauce. It's then baked to perfection, creating a comforting and flavorful dish that will have kids asking for seconds.
ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
steps
- 1.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 2.
Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 3.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent.
- 4.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- 5.
In a separate saucepan, melt the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses together with milk over low heat, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- 6.
Combine the cooked elbow macaroni with the ground beef mixture in the skillet. Pour the cheese sauce over the mixture and stir until well coated.
- 7.
Transfer the cheesy beef and pasta mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle with additional shredded cheese on top.
- 8.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- 9.
Once baked, garnish with fresh parsley and let it cool slightly before serving.