Beef Macaroni & Cheese ~ Comfort Food

recipe from pauladeen.com

I have to apologize for this horrible photo! Some days I take a couple hundred photos and I must have kept the wrong one as I certainly wouldn't have saved this one on purpose! Ouch!


Macaroni and cheese is one of my family's go to for comfort foods. I decided to try this variation from Paula Deen to switch it up a bit. Great flavor and we all had seconds.


Ingredients:
1 tsp. each dried basil, cumin & oregano
salt & pepper
3 cups canned crushed tomatoes
2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 tsp. chopped garlic
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped green bell pepper (I didn't add one as my guys won't eat them)
2 Tbls. vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
1 lb. box elbow macaroni
2-3 cups grated cheddar cheese


Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Heat the oil in a skillet; add the peppers, onion and garlic. Saute until soft.


Add the ground beef and saute until browned. Add the tomatoes, salt & pepper to taste, basil, cumin and oregano.


In a large bowl, combine the macaroni and beef mixture.


Spread into 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Top with the cheese and bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.


I hope you try this despite my photo!


Happy Friday friends!