Cheesy Beef and Tomato Macaroni
Tender macaroni cooks with beef, tomato, onion and bell pepper before cheddar melts in for a hearty, comforting family meal.
10 min
Prep
42 min
Cook
4
Serves
683
Calories
Macros · per serving
44g protein
76g carbs
23g fat
Ingredients
For 4 servings
- 450 g lean ground beef
- 300 g dry elbow macaroni
- 800 g canned crushed tomato
- 100 g onion
- 150 g green bell pepper
- 120 g cheddar cheese
- 500 ml water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
These timings use a 1000-watt microwave. Finely dice the onion and bell pepper, discarding the pepper's stem and seeds, and cut the cheddar into small cubes. Use a 4-liter, high-sided microwave-safe casserole with a microwave-safe vented lid; keep the vent open during cooking.
- 2
Crumble the beef into the casserole and mix with the onion and pepper. Cover and microwave at 100% power for 4 minutes. Break up the beef thoroughly, stir from the edges into the center and rotate the casserole a quarter-turn. Cover and microwave at 100% power for 3 minutes. Stir and check several areas with a food thermometer: the beef must reach 160°F/71°C throughout. If necessary, continue at 100% power in 30-second intervals, stirring and rotating each time.
- 3
Let the cooked beef mixture stand, covered, for 3 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomato, water, dry macaroni, garlic powder, oregano, salt and black pepper, making sure the macaroni is immersed in the liquid.
- 4
Cover and microwave at 100% power for 4 minutes. Stir thoroughly, separating any macaroni that sticks together, and rotate the casserole a quarter-turn. Cover and microwave at 100% power for another 4 minutes. If the sauce is not bubbling throughout after stirring, continue at 100% power in 1-minute intervals, stirring and rotating after each interval.
- 5
Cover and microwave at 70% power for 12–16 minutes, stopping every 4 minutes to stir thoroughly and rotate the casserole a quarter-turn. Check that the macaroni is tender; if necessary, continue covered at 70% power in 2-minute intervals, stirring and rotating each time.
- 6
Stir in the cheddar. Cover and microwave at 100% power for 1 minute, then stir thoroughly. Check several areas with a food thermometer: the finished dish must reach 165°F/74°C throughout. If needed, continue at 100% power in 30-second intervals, stirring and rotating each time. Let stand, covered, for 3 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly, then stir and divide among four bowls.
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