Beef Macaroni Cheese Bake (Printable Version)

Macaroni, beef, and cheese combine for a hearty oven-baked favorite with a comforting tomato sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef and Vegetables

01 - 450g ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta and Sauces

04 - 200g uncooked elbow or ring-shaped macaroni
05 - 480ml tomato sauce or pasta sauce
06 - 0.5 tsp dried oregano
07 - 0.5 tsp dried basil
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Cheeses and Garnish

09 - 100g shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 25g grated Parmesan cheese
11 - Optional: fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

→ Oils

12 - 1 tbsp olive oil

# Steps To Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 190°C. Lightly grease a 22x33 cm baking dish.
02 - Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Sauté onion for 2–3 minutes, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
04 - Add tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper to the beef. Simmer for 5 minutes to harmonize flavors.
05 - Toss drained macaroni into the sauce and mix until evenly coated.
06 - Layer half of the pasta and beef mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half the mozzarella, then layer remaining pasta mixture, topping with remaining mozzarella and all Parmesan.
07 - Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbling.
08 - Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm.

# Notes and Tips:

01 - For extra flavor, use high-quality Parmesan and freshly shredded mozzarella.