Description
This Before Payday Casserole is a budget-friendly and delicious meal that makes the most of pantry staples. With ground beef, creamy mushroom sauce, and tender macaroni, this easy casserole is a comforting dinner option for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
Add-Ins:
- 1 can (14.5 oz) green beans, drained
- 2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté until soft.
- Cook ground beef: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Combine ingredients: Stir in cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add remaining ingredients: Fold in green beans and cooked macaroni, then transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
- Bake: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute green beans with canned peas or corn.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- This recipe is perfect for using pantry staples on a budget.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
