Ingredients
Gather these pantry staples and fresh ingredients to create your own comforting casserole:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color you prefer)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (elbow macaroni or rotini work great)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
If you’re missing an ingredient, don’t worry! This recipe is flexible—swap the ground beef for turkey or add some zucchini to sneak in extra veggies. Cooking is about creativity, after all!
Instructions
Let’s get cooking! Follow these steps to bring this dish to life:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the salt, black pepper, paprika, and oregano, letting the spices toast slightly for enhanced flavor.
- Add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce to the skillet, mixing well. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the beef mixture, stirring to coat the pasta evenly.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving, if desired.
Cooking alongside my grandmother, I learned to trust my senses. So, feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste, making this dish truly yours.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International