Classic Creole Macaroni

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

This Classic Creole Macaroni takes your average baked macaroni. To a whole new level. With a Creole twist. Lean ground beef, and fresh vegetables. And a rich tomato-cheese sauce blend. In this comforting, cheesy dish. It's topped with sharp cheddar. And baked. Until bubbly and golden-brown. Each bite is loaded with savory flavors. Making it a crowd-pleaser. For family dinners. Or gatherings. It’s easy to make. And the perfect combination of cheesy goodness. And hearty flavors.

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Servings

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 c chopped onion
1 c sliced mushrooms
2 stalks celery diced
1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
10 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 14.5 ounces can stewed tomatoes, undrained
8 ounces tomato paste
1 c vegetable stock
1 1/2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven. To 350°F. And cook the elbow macaroni. According to the package instructions. Once it's perfectly al dente. Drain the pasta. And set it aside. While you get everything else ready.
Brown the Beef and Veggies: In a large skillet. Over medium heat. Cook the lean ground beef. Along with the onions, mushrooms, celery, and green bell pepper. Let the beef brown. And the veggies soften. For about 10 minutes. Season generously. With salt. And pepper. To bring out the flavors.
Blend the Sauce: In a blender. Or food processor. Combine the sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, and vegetable stock. And a pinch of salt. And pepper. Blitz until the sauce is smooth. Then stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. To add some creaminess. To the mix.
Mix it Together: In a 9x13-inch baking dish. Combine the cooked macaroni. With the browned beef. And veggie mixture. Pour the sauce. Over everything. And stir. Until it's all well coated. And mixed together.
Cheesy Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining sharp cheddar cheese. Over the top. Making sure to cover. The entire surface. Pop it in the oven. And bake. For 30 minutes. Or until the cheese. Is golden brown. And bubbling to perfection.
Serve and Enjoy: Let the casserole cool. For a few minutes before serving. And then dig in!

Notes

To make this Classic Creole Macaroni gluten-free. Simply swap out the elbow macaroni. For your favorite gluten-free pasta. There are plenty of gluten-free elbow macaroni options available. That works perfectly. In this dish. Also, replace the all-purpose flour in the sauce. With a gluten-free flour blend. Or cornstarch. Be sure to check the labels. On your vegetable stock and cheese. To make sure they are gluten-free as well. You’ll still get all the same comforting flavors. Without the gluten!

Nutrition

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