Description
Hearty Cattle Drive Casserole brings robust flavors from the American Southwest to dinner tables. Ranch-style ingredients combine for a satisfying meal that hungry families will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup pasta
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a steady 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Cook pasta until tender, ensuring it reaches al dente perfection, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- In a large skillet, sauté ground beef and onions over medium heat, breaking meat into crumbly pieces until completely browned and onions turn translucent.
- Introduce diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn kernels, and robust seasonings including garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, stirring to create a harmonious blend.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring every strand is coated with the savory sauce and meat mixture.
- Carefully transfer the entire concoction into a generously greased baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Liberally sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top, creating a golden, melty blanket of flavor.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for the cheese to transform into a bubbly, golden-brown landscape.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes, letting flavors settle and making it easier to serve.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting chili powder for spice-sensitive family members or adding jalapeños for extra kick.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version of the casserole.
- Enhance nutritional value by mixing in additional vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach during the skillet stage.
- Prep this dish ahead of time by assembling everything except cheese topping, then refrigerate and add cheese just before baking for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg