Hey there, friends!
Are you craving some comfort food? Well, I’ve got a treat for you!
Today, I’m sharing my favorite macaroni casserole recipe.
It’s creamy, cheesy, and oh-so satisfying!
Perfect for a family dinner or a cozy night in.
Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Let’s dive in!
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-45 minutes |
| Total Time | 40-60 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
For the meat and vegetable mixture:
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (for best flavor and aroma)
- 2 cups pasta sauce (I recommend Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce for a rich flavor)
- 1 medium red bell pepper (diced into 1/2-inch pieces)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup chopped carrots
- 1 tbsp olive oil (I like California Olive Ranch extra virgin olive oil for a fruity flavor)
For the casserole assembly:
- 8 oz uncooked whole wheat elbow pasta
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
Step 1: Cook the Ground Turkey
In a large deep non-stick skillet, brown 1 lb of 93% lean ground turkey over high heat.
Season it with a pinch of salt, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks.
Once it’s cooked through, set it aside on a dish.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium.
Add 1 cup of chopped onion, 1 medium chopped red pepper, 1/4 cup of finely diced celery, and 1/4 cup of finely diced carrots to the skillet.
Sauté the vegetables until they are soft, about 6 to 7 minutes.
Step 3: Combine Turkey and Vegetables
Return the cooked turkey to the skillet.
Add 1 can (14.5 oz) of drained petite diced tomatoes, 2 cups of marinara sauce, 2 cups of water, 1/2 tsp of Italian seasoning, and 1 tsp of Kosher salt.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Step 4: Preheat the Oven
While the turkey and vegetable mixture is simmering, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
This will ensure your oven is ready to bake the casserole once it’s assembled.
Step 5: Assemble the Casserole
Spoon just enough of the turkey and vegetable mixture to cover the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan.
Proceed with layering your choice of sliced vegetables, pasta, or any other ingredients as desired over the turkey mixture.
Continue layering until all the turkey mixture is used up.
(Note: This step assumes you’ll be adding more layers; adjust based on your personal casserole recipe or continue as instructed once fully written out.)
Step 6: Bake and Serve
Cover the assembled casserole with aluminum foil and bake it in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, until everything is heated through and bubbling.
Remove the foil in the last 10 minutes to allow the top to brown slightly.
Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your hearty turkey and vegetable casserole!
