Description
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 small onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
Salt and black pepper, to taste
3 cups cooked pasta (such as elbow macaroni or penne)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (optional)
1 cup crushed crackers or French fried onions (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, until softened.
Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–10 minutes to meld the flavors.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the beef mixture. If using cheese, stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
If using cheese, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top. If desired, add crushed crackers or French fried onions for a crunchy topping.
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly (or until hot throughout if omitting cheese).
Let cool slightly before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American