Ingredients:
– 1 lb ground beef
– 1 onion, chopped
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 can of diced tomatoes
– 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon of dried basil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 lb of macaroni
– 4 tablespoons of butter
– 4 tablespoons of flour
– 4 cups of milk
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
– 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Start by preparing the meat sauce. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat and set the meat aside.
3. In the same skillet, add a little olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until they’re fragrant and soft.
4. Add the can of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook everything together until the flavors have melded, about 10 minutes.
5. Next, cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
6. While the pasta is cooking, it’s time to prepare the béchamel sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour until it forms a paste.
7. Gradually add the milk to the pan, whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Cook the sauce until it thickens, about 10-12 minutes.
8. Add the salt and nutmeg to the béchamel sauce and stir to combine.
9. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, meat sauce, and béchamel sauce. Mix everything together until it’s well combined.
10. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole.
11. Bake the casserole in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
12. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
This Macaroni Casserole with Meat Sauce and Béchamel Sauce is the perfect comfort food dish that’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends. It’s loaded with flavor and is a great way to add some variety to your dinner rotation. So go ahead and give it a try – your taste buds will thank you!