Easy Southwestern Beef Casserole Recipe

Published Oct 9, 2023 By Elle Ann

Image credit: Cat's Cooking and Vlogs via YouTube

This dish is a staple in our household and my siblings and I loved eating Southwestern casserole for dinner when we were kids and up until now we’re all grown up. My mom used to make this for us and it’s always so delicious that clean plates are guaranteed by the end of dinnertime. If you want to learn how to make this, then watch this video tutorial by Cat’s Cooking and Vlogs on YouTube.

Ingredients:

2 cups of macaroni pasta
1 pound of ground beef
½ sweet or yellow onion, minced
Minced garlic
1 can of mild Rotel tomatoes and green chiles
1 can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
½ can of tomato paste
½ tsp of salt
½ tsp of chili powder
¼ tsp of ground cumin
¼ tsp of black pepper
Shredded cheese, Colby jack, or Mexican blend

Directions:

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, add the kidney beans, tomato paste, and Rotel tomatoes, then season them with chili powder, ground cumin, black pepper, and salt, and mix them all together until combined. Place a saucepan on a stove over medium-high heat, then fill it with water, and bring it to a boil. Sprinkle some salt, then add the pasta, and cook them according to the package instructions.

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Step 2

Once done cooking, drain off all the water, then add the cooked pasta to the same mixing bowl, and give them a good mix to combine. Place a pan on a stove over medium-high heat, then heat up some olive oil, and saute the chopped onions until softened. Add the ground beef, then break them apart, and cook them until nice and brown. Add the minced garlic, then give them a good toss, and drain off the excess grease.

Easy to Make Southwestern Beef Casserole — Image credit: Cat’s Cooking and Vlogs via YouTube

Step 3

Transfer the cooked meat to the bowl of pasta, then toss them together until well combined, and pour half of the mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish greased with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the mixture evenly, then sprinkle lots of shredded cheese all over the top until covered, and then add the remaining half of the meat mixture on top. Add more cheese on top, then cover the top with aluminum foil, and place it in an oven preheated at 375°F. Allow it to bake for about 30 minutes, then remove the cover, and let it bake for 5 more minutes. Serve and enjoy!