Easy Budget-Friendly Tomato Macaroni Casserole
A comforting and budget-friendly tomato macaroni casserole that cooks itself while you manage family chaos.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian (with meat option)
Ingredients
- Canned tomatoes
- Elbow macaroni
- Cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)
- Ground beef or a veggie alternative (bell peppers or zucchini)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine canned tomatoes and uncooked elbow macaroni in a casserole dish.
- Add the additional ingredients of your choice, be it ground beef or a medley of veggies from your fridge.
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Stir all ingredients together until well mixed.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the macaroni is cooked.
- Remove the foil in the last 10 minutes to give it that delightful browning.
- Let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
For a healthier twist, try using whole wheat elbow macaroni or mix different types of cheese for depth of flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: casserole, macaroni, budget-friendly, family dinner, easy recipe