Entrees | Fall Recipes | Pasta
Cheesy Baked Macaroni with Beef (Easy Comfort Dinner!)
This hearty, cheesy baked macaroni with beef is the ultimate comfort-food dinner — cozy, saucy, and loaded with melty cheese. It’s fast, forgiving, and perfect for busy nights, potlucks, or cold-weather cravings!
Ingredients
- 12 oz macaroni or short pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh basil, ricotta dollops
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook pasta until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the ground beef with diced onion until cooked through. Add garlic and cook one minute. (Caramelize the onions if you want extra depth and richness!)
- Stir in marinara, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Combine the beef sauce with the cooked pasta.
- Transfer to a baking dish and top with mozzarella and parmesan.
- Bake 20–25 minutes, until hot, bubbly, and golden on top.
- Let rest a few minutes before serving so everything settles into cheesy perfection.
Tips & Variations
- Add chili flakes or chopped jalapeños for a spicy version.
- Mix in ricotta or cream cheese for extra creaminess.
- Swap beef for Italian sausage for deeper flavor.
- Add spinach or mushrooms for a veggie boost.
- Use gruyere for a nutty, melty ridiculously good twist!
- Finish with a sprinkle of buttered bread crumbs for extra richness, flavor, and the perfect crispy texture!
If you love hearty pastas, check out this fast and easy One Pot Lasagna Recipe that is done in 27 minutes and this rich and savory One Pot Golden Chicken & Silky Rice dish!
