Classic Cattle Drive Casserole
This hearty Classic Cattle Drive Casserole combines seasoned ground beef with macaroni in a rich tomato sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Equipment
- large skillet or Dutch oven
- 9x13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 2 cups cooked macaroni (about 1 cup dry)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven, add ground beef, and cook until browned; drain excess fat.
- Add chopped onion to the skillet with beef and cook until softened, then stir in minced garlic and cook for one minute.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and stir the cooked macaroni into the beef and sauce mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish and sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and cheese is golden, then let rest before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. This casserole can be made ahead of time and reheated. Cover with foil if baking from cold to prevent drying out.