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Comforting Ultimate Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole

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A warm, cheesy ground beef casserole perfect for easy weeknight dinners, featuring a creamy cheese sauce, tender pasta, and savory beef.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef, preferably 80/20
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8 ounces (225g) elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) milk, whole or 2%
  • 3 tablespoons (27g) all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: ½ cup (50g) breadcrumbs for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink and starting to brown, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook until onion is translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Season with smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
  5. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
  6. Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese and tomato paste until smooth and creamy.
  8. Combine cooked pasta and beef mixture in a large bowl or oven-safe skillet. Pour cheese sauce over and gently fold to coat evenly.
  9. Transfer mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Optionally sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.
  10. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until top is golden and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If sauce is too thick before baking, add a splash of milk to loosen. Avoid overcooking pasta to prevent mushiness. Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or gluten-free blend and use gluten-free pasta. Ground turkey or chicken can be used for a lighter version.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy casserole, ground beef casserole, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, baked pasta, cheesy beef bake

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/comforting-ultimate-cheesy-ground-beef-casserole-recipe-perfect-for-easy-weeknights/