Creamy Cheesy Beefaroni Bake
Elevate your dinner with this Creamy Cheesy Beefaroni Bake! This dish is a lighter twist on the classic, combining tender penne pasta with a savory lean beef and zesty tomato sauce, all enveloped in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Topped with a melty blend of low-fat cheeses, this comforting meal is sure to satisfy your cravings while keeping the calories in check. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy weeknight dinner, you'll love every cheesy bite. Enjoy the delicious flavors without the guilt!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
penne
1 lb (Cooked according to package instructions)
vegetable oil
1 teaspoon (For sautéing)
onion
1 cup (Chopped)
garlic
2 teaspoons (Minced)
lean ground beef
12 ounces (Cooked until no longer pink)
crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon (For seasoning)
pasta sauce
1 3/4 cups (Use your favorite brand)
chicken stock
1/2 cup (For meat sauce)
all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (For thickening cheese sauce)
low-fat milk
2 cups (For cheese sauce)
chicken stock
1 1/2 cups (For cheese sauce)
shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
1 cup (For cheese sauce)
shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup (For topping)
grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons (For topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Spray a 13x9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
2
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the penne pasta for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender yet firm. Drain and set aside.
3
To prepare the meat sauce, heat the vegetable oil in a nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for approximately 4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in the lean ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks, and continue cooking for an additional 4 minutes until the meat is no longer pink. Incorporate the pasta sauce and chicken stock, mixing well. Cover and let it simmer for 10 minutes until thickened. Set this mixture aside.
4
For the cheese sauce, in a clean nonstick saucepan, whisk together the all-purpose flour, low-fat milk, and chicken stock until the flour is completely dissolved. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer while continuing to stir for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Carefully stir in the shredded low-fat cheddar cheese until it is fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat and combine the cheese sauce with the prepared meat sauce.
5
In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the cooked penne pasta with the beef and cheese sauce until well coated. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
6
Sprinkle the top with shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan cheese.
7
Bake in the center of the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Cheesy Beefaroni Bake?
It is a lighter twist on the classic dish that combines penne pasta with a savory lean beef and tomato sauce, topped with a rich cheese sauce and melted low-fat cheeses.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius).
What size baking dish is required for this recipe?
A 13x9-inch glass baking dish is recommended for this Beefaroni bake.
How long should the penne pasta be cooked?
The penne pasta should be cooked in boiling salted water for 8 to 10 minutes until tender yet firm.
What kind of meat is used in this dish?
The recipe uses 12 ounces of lean ground beef.
How do I prepare the vegetables for the meat sauce?
You should chop one cup of onion and mince two teaspoons of garlic.
How long do I sauté the onion and garlic?
Sauté the onion and garlic in vegetable oil for approximately 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
What liquids are added to the meat sauce?
The meat sauce uses a combination of pasta sauce and 1/2 cup of chicken stock.
How long should the meat sauce simmer?
The meat sauce should be covered and simmered for 10 minutes until it has thickened.
What is used to thicken the cheese sauce?
All-purpose flour is whisked with milk and chicken stock to thicken the cheese sauce.
What kind of milk is recommended for the cheese sauce?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of low-fat milk.
How much chicken stock is used in the cheese sauce specifically?
The cheese sauce requires 1 1/2 cups of chicken stock.
How long do I simmer the cheese sauce?
After bringing it to a gentle boil, simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes while stirring frequently.
Which cheese is stirred directly into the cheese sauce?
One cup of shredded low-fat cheddar cheese is stirred into the sauce until melted.
What cheeses are used for the topping?
The top is sprinkled with shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan cheese.
How long does the entire dish bake in the oven?
The dish should bake for approximately 10 minutes.
What is the visual indicator that the bake is finished?
The bake is done when the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
Should the dish be served immediately after removing it from the oven?
It is best to allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving.
How many ingredients are in the Creamy Cheesy Beefaroni Bake?
There are a total of 14 ingredients in this recipe.
What seasoning adds a bit of heat to the recipe?
One teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes is included for seasoning.
Is this recipe considered a low-fat option?
The recipe is designed as a lighter version using lean ground beef, low-fat milk, and low-fat cheeses.
Can I use any type of pasta sauce?
Yes, the instructions suggest using 1 3/4 cups of your favorite brand of pasta sauce.
What type of oil is used for the meat sauce?
One teaspoon of vegetable oil is used to sauté the onion and garlic.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed for the topping?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese.
How much parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 13x9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
Do I need to cover the dish while it bakes?
No, the instructions do not indicate that the dish should be covered while baking.
What is the texture of the pasta after boiling?
The pasta should be cooked until it is tender yet firm (al dente).
Is this dish suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, the description mentions it is perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners.
How do I combine the pasta and sauces?
Gently toss the cooked penne pasta with the combined beef and cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl until well coated before transferring to the baking dish.