Description

This Crock Pot Angel Beef Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring ground beef simmered with tomato sauce, herbs, and uncooked elbow macaroni cooked slowly in a crock pot until tender. Topped with a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a busy weeknight meal with minimal hands-on time.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

2 lbs ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato Sauce Mixture

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Pasta and Cheese

1 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat, then add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion becomes soft and translucent, enhancing the flavor.
Combine Ingredients in Crock Pot: Transfer the cooked beef mixture to the Crock Pot. Add tomato sauce, drained diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together to distribute the flavors evenly.
Add Elbow Macaroni: Pour the uncooked elbow macaroni into the Crock Pot and stir it well into the beef and tomato mixture, ensuring the pasta is submerged in the liquid for proper cooking.
Cook Slowly: Cover the Crock Pot and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours, allowing the macaroni to become tender and the sauce to thicken, infusing all ingredients with rich flavors.
Add Cheese: Stir in the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Cover again and let cook for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly, creating a creamy topping.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese and optional chopped fresh parsley on top before serving. Serve the casserole hot and enjoy the satisfying flavors of this comforting dish.

Notes

For a faster option, you can cook the macaroni separately and add it to the Crock Pot near the end of cooking.
If you prefer a spicier casserole, add some crushed red pepper flakes when adding herbs and spices.
Use lean ground beef to reduce the fat content.
This dish can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
Fresh parsley is optional but adds a nice color and fresh flavor garnish.