Whether you are a busy mom or a home cook, your time is precious! You don't want to spend a lot of time making dinner. That's why you will love this Macaroni Casserole. It is perfect if you have a hectic schedule but still want to serve your family a flavorful and nutritious meal. At Mess for Less, we specialize in casserole recipes that are simple and comforting.
You'll love that this recipe for cheesy macaroni casserole is ready in just 45 minutes, making it perfect for a busy weeknight. It is a hearty, comforting, and convenient meal. You'll be able to make it with what you have on hand in the fridge or pantry, plus, it is easy to adapt to multiple tastes and dietary needs.
If you are looking for new ways to cook with ground turkey, try these Ground Turkey Crock Pot Recipes.
Jump to:
Macaroni Casserole Recipe
Macaroni casserole has been a long-time staple in my family. You'll love the convenience of having a wholesome meal prepared with minimum work. Who has time for fancy ingredients and complicated cooking methods?
As busy people, we don't always have the time or energy to spend hours in the kitchen making dinner. That's where this cheesy casserole comes in - it's quick and easy to make, with minimal fuss and clean-up required.
Another great thing about macaroni casserole is its adaptability. The recipe as written uses elbow macaroni, lean ground turkey, zesty marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese. However, if any of these ingredients don't fit in with your taste or dietary needs, they are easy to sub out.
Ingredients for Macaroni Casserole
- Ground turkey - Lean ground turkey is lower in fat than ground beef but it still has a meaty texture and flavor. Ground beef can also be used if you prefer.
- Olive oil - The garlic, onion, and pepper will get sauteed in the oil. Using olive oil adds some heart-healthy fats to this recipe.
- Garlic - Minced. Garlic infuses the casserole with a yummy aroma.
- Sundried tomatoes - Add a concentrated burst of tangy flavor and provide a chewy texture.
- Onion - Chopped. I used white onion for flavor.
- Bell pepper - Diced. Adds color and nutrients to the dish.
- Diced tomatoes - Drained. Adds juicy acidity and some texture to the sauce.
- Marinara sauce - Coats the macaroni and ground turkey and adds moisture.
- Salt and pepper - To taste.
- Italian seasoning - Contains a variety of herbs including oregano, thyme, and basil, which give the dish a warm, earthy aroma.
- Mozzarella cheese - Shredded. Adds a stretchy and gooey layer to the casserole.
- Parmesan cheese - Provides a sharp, salty kick to the dish and adds a depth of flavor.
- Elbow macaroni - The star of our dish! It serves as a comforting base, that holds the sauce and cheese.
How to Make Tomato Macaroni Casserole
To make this easy casserole you will start with browning the ground turkey. I spray a large non-stick pan with cooking spray before cooking the turkey. You'll want to be sure to break it as it cooks and set it aside when you are done. While your turkey is cooking, boil up some water and cook your elbow macaroni.
Next, you are going to saute your chopped veggies in olive oil. You will love the fragrance when the garlic and onions cook together. When the vegetables are done, add them along with the hearty marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and sundried tomatoes to the large skillet with the turkey. Get it all mixed and cooked.
Remember that elbow macaroni you made? After draining the pasta, layer it on the bottom of a 9x13 casserole pan. Pour your turkey mixture on top and slather on that mozzarella cheese. After a quick baking session in the oven, this pasta bake will come out all bubbly and ready to wow your family!
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. I know it's hard to wait, but it will be worth it.
FAQs For Macaroni Casserole Recipe
Now that you have made a delicious casserole you want to be sure to correctly store any leftovers. The first step is to make sure the casserole leftovers have cooled to room temperature.
You can cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer the leftovers into an airtight container. This casserole can be placed in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you would like to freeze macaroni casserole, store individual portions in freezer-safe zip top bags for up to 2 months.
There are a lot of side dishes that will complement this casserole. It's hard to go wrong with a fresh green salad dressed with a zesty vinaigrette. This provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory flavors of the dish.
If you want to add some veggies on the side, broccoli or asparagus both work well. If you are looking to add more of an Italian flair to this recipe, opt for some crispy garlic bread.
Tips for Making Baked Macaroni Casserole with Ground Turkey
Tip 1: You can make this turkey and macaroni casserole even more flavorful by garnishing it with some chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or basil.
Tip 2: For a different protein option, you can use ground beef or ground chicken instead of turkey. If you are looking for a meatless casserole option try these gluten-free, plant-based crumbles.
Recipes to Make with Macaroni
There are so many delicious recipes you can make with humble elbow macaroni. You can adapt it to countless recipes, across various cultures. It pairs wonderfully with creamy cheese sauces or tomato-based sauces. You can also use it in soups or salads. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy macaroni:
- Crockpot Hamburger Macaroni Soup
- Hidden Veggie Baked Mac and Cheese
- Mac and Cheese Muffins
- Crockpot Hungarian Goulash from Flour On My Face
Recipe Must Haves
To create this heartwarming Ground Turkey Macaroni Casserole, you’ll need some basic supplies. If you are a new cook, you might not have some of this equipment, so I am sharing some of my favorites with easy Amazon links. You are just a few clicks away from having everything you need to put a delicious dinner on the table.
Anchor Hocking Essentials Tote Set with Embrace Lid (Set of 4)
OXO Good Grips Insulated Casserole Carrier - OatVIKING Culinary Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set, 10 piece, Non-slip Silicone Base, Includes Airtight Lids, Dishwasher Safe, BlueOkllen 10 Pack Small Stainless Steel Bowls, 6 ½ Inch Wide Kitchen Metal Bowl with Flat Base, ¾ Quart Prep Bowls for Meal Prep, Cooking, Serving, BakingFarberware Glide Deep Nonstick Frying Pan / Fry Pan / Skillet with Helper Handle - 12.5 Inch, BlackUMEIED 10 PACK Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids, Glass Airtight Meal Prep Container Set for Lunch, On the Go, Leftover, Kitchen Pantry Organizers and Storage, BPA Free & Leak Proof (Blue)
More Pasta Casseroles
📖 Recipe
Macaroni Casserole
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey lean
- 10 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes in oil
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 cup bell pepper diced
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 ounce, drained
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large skillet, sprayed with cooking spray, cook the ground turkey until it's browned. Set it aside.
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet and cook garlic, onion, and red peppers on medium heat. Sauté until they have softened.
- Add the cooked veggies along with the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and sundried tomatoes to the large skillet with the ground turkey. Add Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix and let it cook until warmed through.
- Grab a 9x13 pan and pour in cooked elbow macaroni.
- Pour the saucy turkey mixture on top of the pasta and top with 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle on ½ cup of Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes. If the top starts to brown too soon, cover with foil. Let sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to garnish this casserole chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or basil.
- You can make this recipe with ground beef or ground chicken instead of ground turkey. For a meatless option use plant-based crumbles.
Jill says
Fantastic recipe! Sun dried tomatoes really added a nice tangy punch of flavor. My whole family enjoyed your casserole.
Carrie Robinson says
This is such a perfect comfort food recipe! 🙂 I know that my family would love this.
Sara Welch says
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it was a savory success! Easy, hearty and delicious; my kind of comfort food, indeed!
Neha says
Love how flavor rich and nutrition packed this casserole looks! Super excited to give it a try over the weekend!
Mahy says
Oh wow, this casserole is amazing. Quick to make and I bet so comforting. Yum!