Isn’t it the worst when you try a dish that you absolutely love but then you can never find it again? Well, we have good news. Take Me Back Casserole is always here for you and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon! The bouncy macaroni topped with juicy ground beef and tangy, tomato sauce will always be there, waiting for you to indulge. The melty cheese and sour pickle chunks sprinkled on top will leave a lasting impression on your tastebuds, causing them to crave it often! You can always count on Take Me Back Casserole to be there! No more hopelessly longing for phenomenal flavors!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- kosher salt, to taste
- ground pepper, to taste
- 3-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup beef broth
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni with ridges
- 2 cups yellow cheddar, shredded
- 1/2 cup crisp deli-style dill pickles, chopped
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2 –In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, the vinegar, the Worcestershire sauce, and the tomato sauce.
Step 3 –In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, warm the oil.
Step 4 –Add the beef to the oil and cook until well browned.
Step 5 –Season the beef with the salt and generously with the pepper.
Step 6 –Add the garlic, the bell peppers, and the onions to the meat mixture and cook, while stirring, about 5 minutes.
Step 7 –Pour the tomato mixture over the beef mixture.
Step 8 –Add the beef broth to the meat mixture and stir until well combined.
Step 9 –Bring the meat mixture to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5-10 minutes.
Step 10 –While the meat is cooking, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until not quite tender, about 5 minutes.
Step 11 –Drain the water and add the meat mixture to the pasta.
Step 12 –Pour the pasta mixture into a 13×9-inch baking dish and sprinkle with the cheese.
Step 13 –Bake until the casserole is bubbling and the top is browned, about 10-15 minutes.
Step 14 –Top with the pickles and serve.
