Baked Macaroni with Beef Bites is a hearty, comforting casserole that combines tender macaroni, seasoned beef, and melted cheese in a rich tomato or cream-based sauce, baked to golden perfection.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish is the ultimate in comfort food — easy to make, kid-friendly, and perfect for feeding a crowd. The beef adds protein and heartiness, while the baked macaroni delivers that satisfying cheesy, crispy top layer that everyone loves. It’s ideal for weeknights, potlucks, or meal prep.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
macaroni pasta
ground beef or beef cubes
onion, diced
garlic, minced
tomato sauce or cream sauce
cheddar cheese, shredded
mozzarella cheese, shredded
Parmesan cheese
olive oil
Italian seasoning or paprika
salt
black pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook macaroni until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add beef and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning or paprika.
- Stir in tomato sauce or cream sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Combine beef mixture with macaroni and half the cheese.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Servings and timing
Serves 4–6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Add spinach, peas, or mushrooms.
- Use ground turkey or chicken.
- Make it spicy with chili flakes or hot sauce.
Storage/reheating
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
FAQs
Can I use a different pasta?
Yes, penne, rigatoni, or rotini all work well.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, freeze before or after baking.
What cheese is best?
A mix of cheddar and mozzarella for melt and flavor.
Can I add breadcrumbs on top?
Yes, for extra crunch.
Is it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pasta and sauce.
Can I use jarred sauce?
Yes, for convenience.
How do I prevent it from drying out?
Don’t overbake and use enough sauce.
What sides go well?
Salad or garlic bread.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger baking dish.
Conclusion
Baked Macaroni with Beef Bites is a simple, satisfying dish that’s sure to please any crowd. It’s cheesy, hearty, and perfect for making ahead or enjoying as leftovers.
Print
Baked Macaroni with Beef Bites
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4–6
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Baked Macaroni with Beef Bites is a hearty, comforting casserole that combines tender macaroni, seasoned beef, and melted cheese in a rich tomato or cream-based sauce, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- macaroni pasta
- ground beef or beef cubes
- onion, diced
- garlic, minced
- tomato sauce or cream sauce
- cheddar cheese, shredded
- mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Parmesan cheese
- olive oil
- Italian seasoning or paprika
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook macaroni until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add beef and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning or paprika.
- Stir in tomato sauce or cream sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Combine beef mixture with macaroni and half the cheese.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
- For added flavor, add spinach, peas, or mushrooms to the beef mixture.
- Use ground turkey or chicken as a lighter alternative to beef.
- To make it spicier, add chili flakes or hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
- If you prefer, substitute penne, rigatoni, or rotini pasta for macaroni.
- You can assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
- This dish can be frozen before or after baking for up to 3 months.
- A mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheese provides the best melt and flavor.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top before baking.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and sauce.
- Jarred sauce can be used for convenience if you’re short on time.
- To prevent the casserole from drying out, avoid overbaking and ensure there’s enough sauce.
- Pair this dish with a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- If you’re cooking for a larger group, you can easily double the recipe and use a bigger baking dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
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