Cheesy Beef Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup uncooked pasta (elbow macaroni or shells)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs (optional, for topping)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to preheat while you prepare the casserole.
2. Cook the pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the uncooked pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook until nicely browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
4. Add aromatics: Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Mix in tomatoes and spices: To the skillet, add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let simmer for about 5 minutes.
6. Combine pasta and sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and the beef-tomato mixture. Mix in half of the cheddar cheese.
7. Assemble the casserole: Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
8. Add the topping: If using, mix the bread crumbs with melted butter, then sprinkle over the cheese layer. Finally, top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
9. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Let it rest: Once out of the oven, allow the casserole to cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving.