Woolworth’s Creole Macaroni

This Woolworth’s Creole Macaroni is a comforting and flavorful casserole that combines browned ground beef with tender elbow macaroni and a rich, slightly sweet and tangy Creole-inspired tomato sauce, all topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese. It’s a satisfying dish with a touch of Southern flair.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven and cook pasta: Preheat your oven to 350˚F (175°C). Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and set it aside.
2. Brown the beef and vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef, chopped onion, sliced mushrooms, diced celery, and diced green bell pepper to the pan. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Drain off any excess fat from the skillet.
3. Prepare the sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine the sugar, dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, undrained stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable stock, salt, and pepper. Blitz or process until the sauce is smooth and well combined. Stir in ½ cup of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the sauce.
4. Assemble the casserole: Add the cooked elbow macaroni and the browned beef and vegetable mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the prepared sauce over the top. Stir everything together well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce.
5. Add cheese topping and bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden brown, and the casserole is bubbling.
7. Serve: Let the Woolworth’s Creole Macaroni cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful casserole!