Macaroni Vegetable Casserole

Posted on by February 3, 2013

Macaroni Vegetable Casserole

Print recipe
Serves 4 - 5

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb. or 500 gm lean ground beef
  • 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 2 Cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red or green or yellow sweet pepper (chopped)
  • 3/4 cups chopped celery
  • 1 or 2 zucchinis (diced)
  • 1 cup sliced cremini mushrooms
  • 2 1/2 Cups raw Scoobi Doo noodles (may be called Succhietto (a twisted spiral shape). You may also just use your favorite shaped pasta)
  • 1 Tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 Tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1 Tsp oregano
  • 1 14 oz (398 ml) tin chopped tomatoes (low salt)
  • 1 1/2 Cups grated old cheddar (I sometimes use Asiago cheese or a combination of both)

Optional

  • 1 Tbsp freshly chopped basil

Directions

Boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water until cooked. Drain and rinse with cold water
Chop the onion, garlic, celery, zucchini, pepper, mushrooms. I always add the onion, garlic and peppers, but you can experiment with the other vegetables, according to your tastes.
vegetables for macaroni vegetable casserole
Heat a large frying pan on the stove and add 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the butter has melted add the onion and garlic and continue to cook until the onion is translucent and soft.
Add the ground beef to the mixture and using a spatula, break up the meat and stir the mixture until the meat has been browned. Add the oregano, pepper and salt and mix thoroughly. Then add the other fresh vegetables and cook for 5 minutes.
macaroni vegetable casserole
Carefully stir in the tomaotoes and cooked pasta to the mixture. You may need to add a quarter cup of water if the mixture seems dry.
Grease one large (or two medium casseroles) and fill it half way. Sprinkle about a half cup of cheese (divide if using two casseroles). Put the remaining mixture on top of the cheese. Top with the remaining cheese.
Bake in a 350 deg F oven for 30 minutes (covered) and then for another 10 minutes uncovered until bubbly.
Serve with a bit of fresh basil sprinkled on top, with a loaf of crusty bread and a nice salad.
Frozen Casserole
If you have made two casseroles, then you can freeze one. Defrost it before cooking. If it has been in the fridge or is still a little cold, extend the cooking time until the mixture is bubbly.