Football Casserole

Get ready to score a culinary touchdown with this hearty and flavorful Football Casserole, the ultimate comfort food for game days or weeknight dinners. Packed with savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a robust tomato-based sauce seasoned with Italian herbs, this baked dish is topped with layers of gooey cheddar and mozzarella cheese for the perfect cheesy finish. Quick and easy to assemble, this casserole comes together in just 50 minutes, making it an ideal crowd-pleaser for families or hungry football fans. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color, and serve it straight from the oven for an irresistibly bubbly and satisfying meal. Perfect as a one-pan dish, this recipe combines simple ingredients with bold flavors and guarantees a touchdown at every table!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 3 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni or rotini)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring frequently.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes (including their juice), tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, letting the flavors combine.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the beef and tomato mixture. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 7

Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the bottom of the dish.

Step 8

Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the pasta layer.

Step 9

Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, spreading it evenly.

Step 10

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.

Step 11

Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 12

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 14

Optional: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top as a garnish before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2283.7 grams (2283.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3919

Total Fat 227.80g	292%
Saturated Fat 103.30g	517%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.20g
Cholesterol 652mg	217%
Sodium 5708mg	248%
Total Carbohydrate 262.20g	95%
Dietary Fiber 24.50g	88%
Total Sugars 25.20g
Protein 208.60g	417%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2707mg	208%
Iron 18mg	100%
Potassium 2397mg	51%

*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: 52.1%

Protein: 21.2%

Carbs: 26.7%