Old-Fashioned Beef Tomato Macaroni Bake

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta and Beef

1. Boil: Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until it is just al dente (about 1 minute less than usual, as it will continue cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.
2. Brown: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, diced onion, and green bell pepper until the meat is fully browned and the vegetables are soft. Drain any excess grease.
3. Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

2. Build the Tomato Sauce

1. Combine: Lower the heat to medium. Pour the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and black pepper directly into the skillet with the beef.
2. Simmer: Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to deepen and blend.
3. Mix: Turn off the heat. Stir the drained macaroni and ½ cup of the shredded cheese directly into the warm beef and tomato mixture until everything is evenly coated.

3. Assemble and Bake

1. Preheat: Turn your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Layer: Transfer the entire macaroni and beef mixture into the prepared baking dish, smoothing it into an even layer with a spatula.
3. Cheese: Top the casserole generously with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
4. Bake: Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the casserole is bubbling at the edges and the cheese on top is completely melted and lightly golden. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

💡 Cooking Secrets

• Al Dente is Essential: Make sure you don’t overcook the macaroni during the boiling step. If it is already too soft before going into the oven, it will absorb too much liquid and turn mushy.
• The Vintage Skillet Option: If you use a large, oven-safe cast iron skillet to cook your beef and sauce, you can stir the pasta right in, throw the cheese on top, and pop the skillet directly into the oven to save on washing dishes!

Would you like to try a creamy variation of this bake that incorporates a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese into the sauce? I can also show you how to add a crunchy buttered breadcrumb topping for extra texture.