A yummy ground beef casserole that starts with a box of good ole mac and cheese. Perfect for kids, but we adults love it too!
Ground Beef Mac and Cheese Casserole
This ground beef casserole, made with a simple box of macaroni and cheese, is a weeknight favorite around our house. It comes together easy and bakes in no time. It's also a potluck favorite (double it) because while it's basic, it's well seasoned, flavorful and just good old fashioned comfort food. Nobody will know you started with a box of mac and cheese!
Use regular diced tomatoes or use Rotel tomatoes to kick it up a notch! I use a can of mild or original Rotel along with a small (8 ounce) can of tomato sauce and top it with pepper jack cheese for us, but it's good even done in the milder version. Serve it with a salad and veggie on the side and some garlic bread.
This is a good place to insert a quick reminder... that this is a blog, not just a "recipe site," and yes, there is a difference! I want to first thank all of you who have supported my work over the years. Your notes to me are uplifting and encouraging, however, if you aren't interested in the chit chat, info, photos, tips and such in a post, as always, you'll find the complete recipe text with measurements and instructions, as well as a printable document, a little bit further down the page. Just swipe or scroll down to the bottom of the post!Here's how to make my Ground Beef Mac and Cheese Casserole.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter or spray a 9 x 9 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil for the macaroni noodles, adding a large pinch of kosher salt. Boil for the lowest time according to package directions, drain and set aside. Reserve the powdered cheese sauce package.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat, add onion and bell pepper and sauté until tender. Toss in garlic and sauté one minute longer, but to avoid bitterness, do not scorch.
Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as you go. This is also very good with a ground sausage or split it and use half of each. Drain off any excess fat from meat mixture if necessary and then return it to the pan.
Stir in chili powder and seasoned salt, reserved cheese packet and diced tomatoes. I wrote this to keep it a bit on the milder side for the kids, but I substitute one (10 ounce) can of Rotel tomatoes, undrained, plus 1 small can (8 ounce) tomato sauce for the can of diced tomatoes.
Stir until mixed thoroughly, taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Add the cooked pasta.
Mix together.
Transfer meat and pasta mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Cover tightly and bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until heated through.
Remove, uncover, sprinkle cheese on top.
Return to the oven for about 10 minutes longer, or until cheese is melted. Serving suggestion: Add a side salad, green vegetable such as broccoli or green beans and garlic bread.
Dig in!
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