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