Description
A creamy, cheesy, and hearty comfort food casserole made with ground beef, elbow macaroni, and cream of mushroom soup. It is a quick, budget-friendly family dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- 12 ounces dry elbow macaroni
- 2 cans (10.5 oz each) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Optional: Crushed crackers or cornflakes for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions but reduce time by one minute for al dente texture. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink. Drain excess grease, leaving a little for richness.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta and browned beef to the sauce mixture. Stir gently to coat everything evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Add optional cracker topping if desired.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta; it will continue to cook in the oven. Use block cheese and shred it yourself for better melting. If using lean beef, add a little butter to keep it moist. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and soup. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 980
- Fat: 42
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 32
Keywords: Amish casserole, hamburger casserole, easy family dinner, comfort food, ground beef recipe, pasta bake, cheap dinner, meal prep