Baked Hamburger Macaroni

---

This Baked Hamburger Macaroni is such a fun meal prep dinner that’s made with marinara sauce, veggies, beef, and cheese!  It’s topped with a thick and satisfying layer of extra cheese that’s browned to perfection!

It’s simple to make, and the leftovers hold up perfectly in the refrigerator to reheat throughout the week.

It’s prepared in 4 Easy Steps:

1) SAUTÉ the garlic, veggies, then beef

2) COMBINE the cooked pasta with the marinara, red pepper, sautéed veggies and beef, and some cheese (all stirred together in your 9 x 13!)

3) TOP with more cheeses

4) BAKE until sizzling with browned cheeses on top

---

This post contains affiliate links from which I may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Read more here!

---

RECIPE NOTES:

Storage: Once cooled, I store the 9 x 13 glass baking dish with the leftovers inside directly in the refrigerator (covered with plastic wrap, or an equivalent).  Individual servings are reheated easily in the microwave.

INGREDIENT NOTES:

Yellow Onion & Baby Bella Mushrooms: The onion and mushrooms add so much flavor into this pasta!

Garlic: I like to use a garlic press to crush it to keep things quick!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The olive oil is used to sauté the garlic and veggies before the beef is added.

Lean Ground Beef: I like to use one that’s 93% lean.

Elbow Pasta (Macaroni): For the pasta, follow the package instructions for cooking time!  (I personally did not add any salt here.)

Marinara Sauce: The flavors of marinara sauces vary so much, so I highly recommend this one!  I love it because it’s more tart and acidic in flavor (versus sweet).

Red Pepper Flakes: This meal isn’t spicy at all…You won’t even know the red pepper is there!  The small amount does add flavor though so don’t skip it!

Mozzarella Cheese Slices: Using slices keeps the cheese topping step super easy.  You’ll want them to equate to 6 oz total, so check the weight on your package!

Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese: The parmesan is stirred both into the pasta, beef, and veggie base as well as added on top along with the mozzarella.  You can even serve with an extra sprinkle of it if you like!

Kitchen Equipment:

• Colander

• Knife & Cutting Board

• 9 x 13 Glass Baking Dish

• 1 Large Pan

• 1 Large Pot Or Dutch Oven

Servings: Approx. 6

Ingredients:

• 1 Yellow Onion, finely chopped
• 12 oz Baby Bella Mushrooms, roughly/finely chopped
• 3 Cloves Garlic, crushed
• 2 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
• 10 oz Elbow Pasta
• 2.5 Cups Marinara Sauce (1 24.5 oz Jar)**
• 1/2 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• 6 oz Mozzarella Cheese Slices
• 3/4 Cup + 1/2 Cup Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided

**See Ingredient Notes!

Directions:

PREP

Chop the onion and mushrooms, and crush the garlic

SAUTÉ

In a large pan, heat the garlic in the 2 Tbsp of oil until it’s just starting to turn golden (stirring consistently on low-medium heat)

Add the chopped onion and mushrooms, along with 1/2 Cup water, into the pan and cook the veggies until well done (medium heat) stirring consistently to keep them from sticking.  The water will slowly cook off.  Once done, the onions will be translucent and the mushrooms wilted

Lower the heat, then add in the ground beef, and cook it until done – breaking it into very little bits as it cooks

Remove from heat

In a large pot, prepare the pasta accordion to package instructions, then drain (While the pasta is cooking, preheat the oven to 350º)

COMBINE

Pour the marinara sauce into the empty 9 x 13 baking dish, then stir in the red pepper flakes

Add in the cooked pasta and stir until evenly covered in the sauce

Next, stir in the beef and veggie mixture along with the 3/4 Cup of parmesan cheese

TOP

Top the pasta mixture with the mozzarella slices followed by the remaining 1/2 Cup of parmesan

BAKE

Bake for 40 minutes at 350º – It will be sizzling, and the cheese on top will be bubbling and browning

Let cool for a couple of minutes then serve (with optional extra parmesan if you like)

Enjoy!

[Store leftovers covered airtight in the fridge.]