Here is an easy pasta casserole to prepare for anyone with a busy schedule. This can be assembled the night before and popped in the oven to serve the next day. Creamy cheesy beef and cheddar is the perfect match with pasta. Any kind of pasta can be substituted and if you're not a beef eater, use boneless chicken breast cubed. Even rotisserie chicken is a great addition to this classic meal.

Classic Beef and Cheese Pasta Casserole via @Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine.comPhoto byClaudia Lamascolo

Classic Beef and Cheesy Casserole:

Shopping List:

• 1 pound ground beef (or substitute 1 pound of cubed chicken)
• 2 cups spiral pasta or elbow macaroni
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 cup crushed buttery cracker crumbs or cornflakes mixed with 2 tablespoons of melted butter

Directions:

1. Brown the ground beef ( or chicken) in a skillet, then drain excess fat.
2. In the same skillet, add macaroni, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Bring to a simmer.
4. Cook until macaroni is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.
5. Place this in a buttered casserole dish around 10 x 10 sized (3 quarts size).
6. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
7. Add more shredded cheese on top (Add the buttered cracker crumbs if using) then broil the top for 2 minutes.

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