Description
Dolly Parton’s 5-ingredient casserole brings southern comfort straight to dinner tables with hearty simplicity. Family-friendly flavors merge in this quick, satisfying dish perfect for weeknight meals when comfort calls and time is short.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Canned Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes (undrained)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, ensuring no pink remains. Drain any accumulated fat to prevent greasiness.
- Transfer cooked beef to a spacious mixing bowl, combining it with cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes including their liquid, and fully cooked macaroni. Thoroughly blend all components until evenly distributed.
- Transfer the integrated mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly across the surface.
- Generously scatter shredded cheddar cheese over the entire casserole, creating a complete coverage that will melt into a golden, appetizing layer.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a bubbling cheese top and heated-through center.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes, which helps the casserole set and makes serving easier. Portion and serve while warm for maximum flavor and comfort.
Notes
- Customize the cheese by using a blend of sharp cheddar and monterey jack for extra flavor depth.
- Drain tomatoes slightly to prevent the casserole from becoming too watery and maintain a perfect consistency.
- Transform this into a gluten-free option by substituting regular macaroni with gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- Add a crispy topping by sprinkling crushed buttery crackers or breadcrumbs over the cheese for a delightful textural contrast.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 404 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg