Mema's Comforting Hamburger Macaroni Bake
Embark on a nostalgic journey with Mema’s Comforting Hamburger Macaroni Bake, the ultimate one-dish delight that brings the warmth of family gatherings right to your table. This hearty casserole is layered to perfection with tender elbow macaroni, seasoned ground beef, and a rich, flavorful spaghetti sauce, all topped with gooey melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a simple yet delightful recipe that captures the essence of comfort food, making it the perfect meal for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners. The secret? Skip the water for a thick, luscious sauce that clings to every noodle! Enjoy the satisfaction of digging into this beloved classic that the whole family will cherish.
6
Servings
423
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
1 lb (browned and drained)
medium onion
1 (chopped)
spaghetti sauce
1 (20 ounce) jar (prepared)
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon (dried)
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon (liquid)
ketchup
1 tablespoon (liquid)
Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon (dried)
sugar
1 teaspoon (granulated)
salt
1 teaspoon (granulated)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
mozzarella cheese
8 ounces (shredded)
elbow macaroni
8 ounces (cooked and drained)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and push the beef to one side of the pot.
2
In the same pot, sauté the chopped onion in the remaining fat until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3
Combine the ground beef and onions, then pour in the spaghetti sauce. Mix in the garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
4
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.
5
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
6
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
7
In a greased 9 x 9 casserole dish, start layering: Begin with half of the cooked macaroni, then half of the meat sauce, followed by half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering, finishing with a generous topping of mozzarella cheese on top.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden. Remove from the oven, allow to cool for a few minutes, and then serve warm.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
30g
Carbs
22g
Protein
1g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mema's Comforting Hamburger Macaroni Bake?
It is a nostalgic one-dish casserole layered with tender elbow macaroni, seasoned ground beef, and a rich spaghetti sauce topped with melted mozzarella cheese.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What is the primary protein used in this dish?
The recipe uses 1 lb of lean ground beef.
How should the onion be prepared?
One medium onion should be chopped and sautéed until translucent, which takes about 3-4 minutes.
What type of sauce is used for the base?
The recipe calls for one 20-ounce jar of prepared spaghetti sauce.
How much garlic powder is included in the seasoning?
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder is used.
Is Worcestershire sauce used in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 tablespoon of liquid Worcestershire sauce.
How much ketchup is added to the meat sauce?
1 tablespoon of ketchup is mixed into the sauce.
What herb blend seasons the beef?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning.
Why is sugar added to the sauce?
1 teaspoon of granulated sugar is added to balance the flavors of the spaghetti sauce.
How much salt is required for the seasoning?
1 teaspoon of salt is used in the sauce.
What amount of black pepper is needed?
1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper is required.
What type of cheese provides the topping?
8 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese are used for layering and the topping.
What type of pasta is best for this bake?
8 ounces of cooked and drained elbow macaroni are used.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 423 calories.
How much fat is in one serving of this casserole?
There are 25g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving has 30g of carbohydrates.
How much protein does this meal provide?
Each serving provides 22g of protein.
What is the fiber content for this recipe?
There is 1g of fiber per serving.
What is the secret to the luscious sauce?
The secret is to skip adding water, which results in a thick sauce that clings to the noodles.
How long should the meat sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking dish is recommended?
The recipe recommends using a greased 9 x 9 casserole dish.
How do you layer the ingredients in the pan?
Start with half the macaroni, half the meat sauce, and half the mozzarella, then repeat the layers.
How long does the casserole need to bake?
Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
Should the ground beef be drained?
Yes, you should drain the excess fat after browning the beef and before adding the onions.
What equipment is used to brown the beef?
A large Dutch oven is used over medium heat.
How should the pasta be cooked?
Cook the macaroni in salted water until al dente according to package instructions, then drain.
Is this considered a comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as a comfort food and a hearty family recipe.
Should the dish be served immediately after baking?
It is recommended to allow the bake to cool for a few minutes before serving warm.