Okay, so let’s talk comfort food! There’s just something about a warm, bubbly casserole fresh from the oven, isn’t there? It feels like a hug in a dish. And if you’re looking for something ridiculously easy, super satisfying, and guaranteed to get happy groans from everyone at the table, you absolutely HAVE to try this Manwich Casserole. Seriously, this is one of those dinners that disappears almost as fast as you make it.
Growing up, casseroles were a staple in our house, especially on busy weeknights. My mom was a genius at throwing things together, and anything with that tangy, slightly sweet Manwich flavor was an instant hit. This Manwich Casserole takes that nostalgic taste and turns it into a full-blown, hearty meal with pasta and cheese. It’s the ultimate weeknight hero because it uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand, and it comes together in a flash. Plus, who doesn’t love a dinner where you can just dump everything into one dish and bake? Fewer dishes? Yes, please!
Why You’ll Love This Manwich Casserole
Okay, so why should you add this Manwich Casserole to your dinner rotation? Honestly, there are SO many reasons! But here are just a few that make it a total winner in my book:
- It’s lightning fast! Seriously, you can have this prepped and in the oven in about 15 minutes. Perfect for those “what’s for dinner?!” moments.
- Simple ingredients, big flavor. You likely have most of these things in your pantry and fridge already. No fancy trips to the store needed!
- Kid-approved (and adult-approved!). That classic Manwich taste is a crowd-pleaser. Even picky eaters tend to gobble this up.
- Pure comfort. It’s warm, it’s cheesy, it’s hearty. Exactly what you want on a chilly evening or when you just need something cozy.
- Super versatile. You can easily tweak it with different veggies or cheeses. Make it your own!
Basically, it’s the easy button for a delicious, satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients for Your Manwich Casserole
Alright, let’s get down to what you’ll need to whip up this amazing Manwich Casserole! The beauty here is in the simplicity. We’re talking basic pantry staples and fridge essentials. Here’s the lineup:
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 onion, all chopped up
- 1 green bell pepper, also chopped
- 1 (15 ounce) can of that glorious Manwich sauce
- 8 ounces of elbow macaroni, cooked and drained (don’t overcook it!)
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, because cheese makes everything better!
That’s it! See? Told you it was easy. Now, let’s grab our gear.
Equipment Needed for Manwich Casserole
You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for this Manwich Casserole, which is another reason I love it so much! Just a few basic kitchen workhorses will get the job done. You’ll definitely need a good, large skillet for browning the beef and mixing everything together. And of course, a trusty 9×13 inch baking dish to put the whole glorious mixture into the oven. Don’t forget your measuring cups and spoons, though honestly, for this one, you can almost eyeball it after you make it once or twice!
How to Prepare Manwich Casserole Step-by-Step
Okay, time to get cooking! This is where the magic happens, and trust me, it’s so simple you’ll wonder why you haven’t made this Manwich Casserole a million times already. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a delicious, bubbly casserole ready in no time.
- First things first, get your oven ready. Preheat it to 375 degrees F (that’s about 190 degrees C). While that’s heating up, you can get started on the good stuff.
- Grab your big skillet and put it over medium heat. Toss in your pound of ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook it until it’s nice and browned all the way through.
- Now, this is important for not having a greasy casserole: drain off all that extra fat! You can carefully tip the pan or use a spoon to scoop it out.
- Once the beef is browned and drained, add in your chopped onion and green pepper. Cook those with the beef for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften up a little. We’re not trying to caramelize them, just get rid of that raw crunch.
- Now for the star of the show! Pour in that can of Manwich sauce and add your cooked and drained elbow macaroni. Stir gently to coat everything evenly in that tangy sauce. Make sure every little bit of pasta and beef is covered in that deliciousness.
- Pour this whole lovely mixture into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly so it’s in a nice layer.
- Sprinkle that glorious cup of shredded cheddar cheese all over the top. Don’t be shy!
- Pop the dish into your preheated oven. Bake it for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is all melted and bubbly and the edges are looking nice and hot.
See? Easy peasy! Now, let’s break down a couple of those steps just a tiny bit more.
Browning the Ground Beef and Vegetables
Getting the ground beef browned properly is key here. You want to make sure there’s no pink left, but don’t cook it until it’s super dry and crumbly. Just nice and browned. And draining the fat? Seriously, don’t skip this! It makes a huge difference in the final texture. As for the veggies, cooking them just until they soften helps them release their flavor and ensures they aren’t still hard when the casserole is done.
Combining Ingredients for Your Manwich Casserole
This is mostly just a big stirring party in your skillet! The main thing is to make sure that Manwich sauce coats everything. You want that perfect blend of beef, pasta, and sauce in every single bite of your Manwich Casserole. Gently folding the cooked macaroni in helps prevent it from breaking apart too much.
Baking Your Delicious Manwich Casserole
The baking part is really just about heating everything through and getting that cheese topping perfectly melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it around the 20-minute mark. You’ll see the edges bubbling and the cheese will be nice and golden in spots. That’s your cue that it’s ready to come out and be devoured!
Tips for a Perfect Manwich Casserole
Want to make sure your Manwich Casserole is absolutely top-notch every single time? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up:
- Don’t overcook the pasta! Cook your macaroni just shy of al dente. Remember, it’s going to bake in the oven for a bit, and you don’t want mushy pasta.
- Get creative with your veggies. While onion and pepper are classic, feel free to toss in some frozen corn or peas when you add the Manwich sauce. Adds extra color and nutrients!
- Cheese, cheese, cheese! Cheddar is great, but a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack is also amazing. Or even a little sprinkle of mozzarella for extra stretch.
- Season your beef. Before you add the Manwich sauce, give your browned beef a little sprinkle of salt and pepper, maybe even a pinch of garlic powder. Builds flavor from the start!
Little things like these can take your Manwich Casserole from good to absolutely fantastic!
Manwich Casserole Variations
One of the best things about this Manwich Casserole is how easy it is to switch things up! You can totally make it your own depending on what you have on hand or what you’re craving. Like I mentioned before, tossing in some frozen corn or peas is a super easy way to sneak in extra veggies – just stir them in with the Manwich sauce. Want to change up the cheese? Go for it! A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack is really yummy, or if you want that classic cheesy pull, mozzarella works great too. You could even try a spicy cheddar for a little kick! Don’t feel limited to elbow macaroni either; penne or rotini would work just fine. Have fun with it!
Frequently Asked Questions About Manwich Casserole
Okay, so you’ve got the recipe down, but maybe a few questions are bouncing around in your head? Totally normal! Here are some common things people wonder about making this Manwich Casserole:
Q: Can I make this Manwich Casserole ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can assemble the whole thing up to the point of baking, cover it tightly, and pop it in the fridge for up to a day. When you’re ready to bake, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since it’s starting cold.
Q: How long does Manwich Casserole last in the fridge?
A: If you store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your Manwich Casserole should be good for about 3-4 days. It reheats really well, either in the microwave or covered in the oven.
Q: Can I freeze Manwich Casserole?
A: Yes, you definitely can! You can freeze the entire baked casserole or individual portions. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or put it in freezer-safe containers. It should last in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Q: What if I don’t have ground beef?
A: No problem! Ground turkey or even ground chicken would work just fine in this Manwich Casserole. Just cook and drain it the same way you would the beef.
Hopefully, that clears things up! It’s a pretty forgiving recipe, which is another reason it’s so great.
Estimated Nutritional Information for Manwich Casserole
Okay, so while we’re all about comfort and deliciousness here, sometimes it’s handy to have an idea of what you’re eating. This Manwich Casserole is definitely a hearty meal! Based on the ingredients listed, here’s a general estimate of the nutritional breakdown per serving (assuming about 6 servings from the dish):
- Calories: Around 450
- Fat: About 20g
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 40g
- Protein: Approximately 25g
Just remember, these are just estimates! The actual numbers can swing a bit depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use, how lean your ground beef is, and even how much cheese you *really* end up sprinkling on top (no judgment here!). But this gives you a decent ballpark idea.
Enjoying Your Manwich Casserole
Alright, you’ve done it! Your kitchen smells amazing, and that bubbly, cheesy Manwich Casserole is ready to be devoured. Honestly, this is one of those dishes that’s a meal all on its own, but if you want to round things out, it’s fantastic with a simple green salad on the side. A little bit of fresh crunch is a perfect contrast to the rich casserole. Or, if you’re feeling extra cozy, some crusty bread for soaking up that delicious sauce is always a good idea!
Dig in and enjoy every single bite! And please, if you make this, come back and tell me about it in the comments. I love hearing how these recipes turn out for you!
Print
Manwich Casserole: 15 Min Easy, Flavorful Joy
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
A hearty casserole featuring Manwich sauce, ground beef, and pasta, topped with cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (15 ounce) can Manwich sauce
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain fat.
- Add onion and green pepper to the skillet and cook until softened.
- Stir in Manwich sauce and cooked macaroni.
- Pour mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- You can use different types of pasta.
- Add other vegetables like corn or peas.
- Top with different cheeses.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Manwich, casserole, ground beef, pasta, cheese