Cheesy Ground Beef and Pasta Bake

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef, 80/20
• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 medium onion, yellow
• 2 clove garlic
• 15 oz crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup beef broth
• 1½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente; drain and set aside.
2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, cooking for 1 minute more until fragrant.
4. Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
5. Stir the cooked macaroni into the beef and sauce mixture. Transfer half of the mixture to an 8x8 inch baking dish or similar.
6. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta mixture in the dish. Add the remaining pasta mixture, then top with the rest of the cheddar cheese (and mozzarella, if using).
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let stand for a few minutes before serving, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.