Old-Fashioned Beef Tomato Macaroni Bake

This recipe recreates the comforting Old-Fashioned Beef Tomato Macaroni Bake, a timeless, budget-friendly casserole that has been a family dinner staple for generations. It combines seasoned ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a rich, juicy tomato sauce, all smothered under a layer of melted cheese.

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 oz elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with their juices)
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance the tomato acidity)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese, divided