For kids of all ages
Who doesn’t love this classic combination of noodles, beef and lots of cheese?
Photo by Iuliia Nedrygailova
SERVES 4–6
Total cost: $8.78
8 ounces cooked macaroni pasta (elbow, cavatappi or mini penne)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 pound ground beef, crumbled
Kosher salt
Black pepper, freshly ground
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk, warm
Pinch nutmeg
3 cups grated cheese (your favorite)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons seasoned breadcrumbs
Cook pasta according to directions on the packaging. Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Saute onions until translucent. Add ground beef and cook until brown. Add salt, pepper, dried herbs and tomatoes. Stir and continue to cook for 3–5 minutes. Drain off juices and set aside.
In another large skillet or Dutch oven, over medium heat, melt butter and add flour. Whisk continuously until the consistency of wet sand, 3–4 minutes. Do not let brown. Add milk and continue to whisk until thickened. Remove from heat and add nutmeg and cheese; stir until cheese is melted. Add pasta and thoroughly combine.
Into the prepared baking dish, add one-third of the pasta and cheese mixture topped with half of the meat mixture. Layer again with one-third of the pasta and cheese mixture followed by the remainder of the meat mixture and finally the remainder of the pasta and cheese. In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan and breadcrumbs and sprinkle on top. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Let rest 15–20 minutes before serving.
___
What’s cooking at SCLiving.coop
Cheap dessert—A delicious dessert for less than 50 cents? Chef Belinda shows you how to do it in this video recipe for caramelized bananas. It’s also a great topping for pound cake or ice cream.
Cheap eats—meals under $10—Delicious and nutritious meals don’t have to be expensive. These recipes use ingredients that are always in season and readily available at reasonable prices.