My Family's Favorite Casserole
- SERVES
- 4
- COOK TIME
- 1 Hr 15 Min
There's nothing homier or more welcoming than a hearty casserole at the end of a busy day. My Family's Favorite Casserole is a different one that's even better the day after, if there's any left!
What You'll Need
- 3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup sliced celery (about 2 stalks)
- 1/2 cup diced onion (about 1/2 of a small onion)
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, broken up (undrained)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
What to Do
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta just until tender; drain.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown beef over medium-high heat; drain off excess liquid.
- Combine all ingredients in a 2-quart casserole dish and bake, covered, for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake 30 additional minutes, or until top is light golden and crunchy.
Notes
-
If you enjoyed this pasta casserole recipe, be sure to check out Easy Pasta Bake Recipes: 24 Ultimate Pasta Casseroles.
-
You'll find even more of our favorite casserole recipes in our free eCookbook, Blue Ribbon Casseroles: 23 Easy Casserole Recipes.
- If you enjoyed this easy dinner casserole, be sure to also check out our Pork Chop Casserole.
Read NextHominy Sausage Casserole
Nutritional InformationShow More
Servings Per Recipe: 4
- Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
- Calories 391
- Calories from Fat 161
- Total Fat 18g 27 %
- Saturated Fat 6.8g 34 %
- Trans Fat 1.1g 0 %
- Protein 26g 51 %
- Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
- Cholesterol 77mg 26 %
- Sodium 461mg 19 %
- Total Carbohydrates 33g 11 %
- Dietary Fiber 5.0g 20 %
- Sugars 15g 0 %
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RL
Sep 26, 2020
Shouldn't the celery and onion be cooked in frying pan before putting themin the casserole?
Test Kitchen Team
Sep 28, 2020
Hello! Onions and celery can go in casserole raw because there is liquid from tomatoes that will help soften during the cooking process. But, onions and celery can also be sauted in skillet when browning the beef if desired. Hope this helps!
Kamicat
Mar 30, 2017
I liked this recipe. I made it with a combination of fresh and canned rotel tomatoes as I had fresh ones to use up. I agree the dish needs some more flavor but the rotel was too spicy hot for me so won't use that again. Much milder canned chili tomatoes would work better. I added a lot of fresh vegetables (carrots, asparagus, mushrooms) because I had them in the frig to use up and they extended the dish and made it a complete meal. Very Good.
elephantlover 7381 704
Mar 08, 2017
I've made this with Hatch green chilis Excellent! Especially for those of you from New Mexico.
416keepher 3587517
Dec 13, 2016
One of our favorites. I did one change that removes some extra steps. I use stewed tomatoes which eliminates chopping onions and celery. Great when you really don't want to work at it.
elainefreimuth 149 5935
Mar 27, 2016
I love casserole's and I would just add some more spices, celery is one of my favorite foods! I will try this soon! Thanks for sharing! Elaine
toniretman 5006408
Jun 27, 2014
I didn't care for it. Reminds me of goulash, and the taste is very plain
Cindy Photos by Bu rden
Apr 22, 2014
I put the recipe in Mastercook and it said 434 calories a serving. Hope that helps.
patsyhaffener 6739 737
Mar 27, 2014
Where can you get the calories and carbohydrate counts on your recipes
bmb423 9963266
Mar 21, 2014
I make a casserole similar to this, but to the ground beef I add one celery stick, chopped, and the onion, saut until beef is cooked. Instead of 28 oz of tomatoes I use only the smaller can (14 oz) and then add a can of tomato soup. I used lowry's garlic salt for more taste and top the dish with grated cheese, like cheddar or American. Never have added honey because the tomato soup is on the sweet side, but might try honey next time.
mhalls 9939817
Sep 16, 2013
I ould like to know why I donot get your news letters. I have signed up for them several times.
Test Kitchen Team
Sep 17, 2013
If you would like to send us an email with your email address, we can look into it for you. Please send the email to info@mrfood.com. Thank you!
mhsrebmom57 535753 6
Aug 29, 2013
Wow. I have to jump on board with everyone else. This may be a great "starter" recipe, but needs much. I also added Worcestershire, oregano and some chopped peppers. When I removed the foil after 30 minutes, I was alarmed to see chunks of ground beef surrounded by dry looking pasta. I quickly grabbed a can of tomato sauce and mixed it into the pasta. That may have been the saving grace. Added shredded extra sharp cheese for the last 10 minutes of baking. The one highlight to this recipe is the honey. Gives a little sweetness that brings out the saltiness nicely.
jlowlaing
Aug 28, 2013
I have made this similar dish for years. However, I use "powered" Worcestershire" mixed in with the ground meant while browning. I order online or buy in the small spice container at Kroger. The powdered makes a huge difference and really adds zip. I also use stewed tomatoes rather than whole peeled and sometimes have to blend even them as hubby does not like to see tomatoes in his dishes. (Imagine a country boy not liking tomatoes!) Stewed tomatoes, although already a little on the sweet side still get a tablespoon of sugar added to this dish. I mainly use shell macaroni, but I imagine any macaroni is fine. I just like the shell, whether large or small. This is a family favorite at our house.
Lindy58
Apr 14, 2013
I have made something similar to this in the past but I added chili sauce which perked it up quite a bit.
mooch
Mar 22, 2013
I made this one time...and while it was an ok dish for something different, I won't make it again. My husband & I both thought the same thing. I do love lots of the other recipes, this one just didn't make it with us!
Steve
Oct 29, 2016
Wow, mooch. If you actually do like something, where will you find the extra stars to rate it, since you rated this 5 STAR for something you'll never make again????
jmq 0872642
Jan 15, 2013
This recipe tastes like a few ingredients are missing. No one liked it in my family. Hard to believe it was a top recipe.
mooch
Mar 22, 2013
I agree with you jmq...my husband said "if this is the families favorite, I wonder what else they eat!
hollygal
Mar 10, 2015
I so agree!! I didn't make this, as I knew from the ingredients it would be blah. It needs a lot of help. Will stick to my own recipe.
mare2 9159900
Jan 12, 2013
I get a kick out of hw someone says they have omitted the meat and then added corn istead. And then added pepper instead of celery..and then say that it is too tomatoey?? Well you have changed the receipe..you then go on to say you add cheese and brocolli even..You have created a whole NEW receipe..No wonder it isn't the same as the original anymore. Don't expect it to be the same or even anything like it with that many substitutions.
mare2 9159900
Jan 12, 2013
I get a kick out of how someone says they didn't use meat and added corn instead and bell pepper instead of celery and then say that it is too tomatoey?? You have CHANGED the receipe...of course it is different now...don't expect it to be the same. And then you want to add brocolli and cheese yet too?? Don't expect the receipe to be like the original...you have made a completely NEW receipe.
S48tal 8171427
Dec 08, 2012
Thanks for this recipe; making it today. Easy and tasty, I'm sure! I imagine the 'honey' gives it something speacial. When I make 'chili,' spaghetti,' or stuffed peppers;' any kind of dish with (tomato sauce) in it, I've always added (1 to 2 Tablespoons of brown suger) as I understand that cuts the acid from the tomato. I think it also adds to the taste of the recipe, so I'm sure (the honey) will be a welcomed addition. Thanks again for all the wonderful recipes! 'little ole' Ohio cook'
Cook for one
Aug 20, 2012
I admit I did not put in meat since I don't eat meat very often. I added corn instead and used bell pepper instead of celery since I did not have celery. I thought it was too tomatoey. Next time I will use a smaller can of tomatoes (I too used diced tomatoes) and add brocolli with the corn and top with cheese the last 30 min of baking.
Steve
Oct 29, 2016
And made a completely different recipe, so where do you get off rating this one?
suecowan 3191802
Aug 15, 2012
Tried this and love it. I used one can of tomatoes and one can rotel tomatoes plus grated cheese on top. Added cheese after I took it out of oven while hot. Next time will add water chestnuts, chopped, bell peppers and olives...
joana39 2491207
Aug 08, 2012
i can't imagine honey in this recipe...but i can imagine 2 cans of stewed tomatoes instead of the diced or peeled tomatoes...or 1 can of stewed tomatoes and 1 can of the rotel tomatoes...
countrychic
Aug 06, 2012
if you add Cheese then it is called Beefaroni or Ziti
Scarlett Vale
Aug 19, 2015
Actually, more than half the recipes I've seen for Beefaroni do not include cheese, so I guess you can call it Beefaroni whether you add cheese or not. And ziti is a specific kind of pasta.
NoNoNannette
Aug 06, 2012
Not a fan of celery or bell peppers, so I add large can of diced tomatoes and a can of chopper green chilies and topped it off with cheese
knitterchris 70087 48
Aug 06, 2012
Excellent! Since the recipe does not call for green peppers, it sounds like it's perfect for you! Agree with the other posts about just using 28-ounce can diced tomatoes. Sounds yummy.
ragdoll 7743527
Jan 21, 2012
Instead of a can of whole tomatoes and breaking them up, how about just using a large can of diced tomatoes? Otherwise sounds good and easy, which I like.
ragdoll 7743527
Jan 21, 2012
Instead of a can of whole tomatoes and breaking them up, how about just using a large can of diced tomatoes? Otherwise sounds good and easy, which I like.
silverchakra
Sep 25, 2011
Add some chopped green pepper and you have Johnny Marzetti- very good. I like the idea of adding the shredded cheese.
nagymom 4542240
Sep 24, 2011
We make this with boxed macaroni and cheese and call it John Mozzetti. It is a family favorite!
kburke7537 4557433
Sep 05, 2011
I agree! I put shredded cheddar cheese on top for the last few minutes of baking and it gave the casserole a little extra flavor! kburke
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