Budget Casserole

Whip up a comforting and wallet-friendly family dinner with this hearty Budget Casserole, a recipe that combines simplicity, flavor, and value. Packed with tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, and a medley of colorful frozen vegetables, this casserole is elevated by the richness of cheddar cheese and a burst of flavor from garlic and diced tomatoes. Perfectly baked to golden, bubbly perfection in under an hour, it’s an easy weeknight meal that’s as satisfying as it is affordable. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or prepping leftovers for the week, this casserole promises to please with its wholesome ingredients, creamy texture, and irresistible cheesy finish. Optimize your meal planning with this quick-prep recipe that’s big on taste but light on your grocery bill.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups (or 15 ounces) canned diced tomatoes
• 1.5 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni in boiling, salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.

Step 5

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, frozen mixed vegetables, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Let this mixture simmer for 5 minutes over low heat.

Step 6

Combine the cooked macaroni, beef mixture, and milk in a large mixing bowl. Stir until evenly incorporated.

Step 7

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly and top with the shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2136.7 grams (2136.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3128

Total Fat 172.40g	221%
Saturated Fat 79.30g	397%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.40g
Cholesterol 513mg	171%
Sodium 4642mg	202%
Total Carbohydrate 253.50g	92%
Dietary Fiber 35.50g	127%
Total Sugars 52.10g
Protein 152.00g	304%

Vitamin D 72IU	360%
Calcium 1423mg	109%
Iron 18mg	98%
Potassium 4141mg	88%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.9%

Protein: 19.2%

Carbs: 32.0%