Stuck cooking the same family dinners on repeat? You’re not alone. It’s easy to fall into a routine with midweek meals, which is exactly why we love a good family dinner challenge — take a handful of everyday ingredients and turn them into something new the whole family will actually eat.
For this challenge, the brief was simple: minced beef, an onion, tomatoes and garlic. Here’s what I made with it — a comforting Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake that’s become a firm favourite in our house.
I’ve kept the flavours quite plain here so it works well for younger or fussier eaters, but there’s plenty of room to make it your own — a little chilli or some dried herbs in the sauce works nicely if your family likes a bit more flavour.
This recipe serves 4.
Jump to
- [Ingredients](#ingredients)
- [Method](#method)
- [Serving suggestions](#serving)
- [FAQs](#faqs)
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- 1 small onion
- 500g minced beef
- 250g tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Worcester sauce
- 1 beef stock cube, made into 500ml of stock
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 250g pasta (I used elbow macaroni)
- 100g breadcrumbs
- 100g grated cheese (I used mozzarella)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
1. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan.
2. Crush the garlic and chop the onion.
3. Fry the onion for 2–3 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and fry for another minute.
5. Add the minced beef and brown it off, stirring regularly — this usually takes about 10 minutes.
6. Stir in the Worcester sauce, tomato paste and tomatoes, and cook for a few minutes.
7. Add the beef stock.
8. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20–25 minutes.
9. Season to taste.
10. Cook the macaroni, draining it about 2 minutes before the packet time so it doesn’t overcook further in the oven.
11. Drain the pasta and mix it through the sauce, then transfer everything into a casserole dish.
12. Preheat your oven to 200°C.
13. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and grated cheese over the top.
14. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
Serving suggestions
I served mine with a simple green salad on the side, which cuts nicely through the richness of the bake. It’s also a great one to make ahead — put it together earlier in the day and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready for dinner. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for a day or two, and it reheats nicely for lunches too.
FAQs
Can I make this pasta bake ahead of time?
Yes — assemble the dish up to the baking stage, cover and keep it in the fridge, then bake it fresh when you’re ready to eat. You may need a few extra minutes in the oven if it’s going in cold.
Can I freeze it?
This bake freezes well once fully cooled. Store it in a freezer-safe container and defrost thoroughly in the fridge before reheating until piping hot all the way through.
Can I swap the mince or pasta?
Absolutely. This recipe works just as well with turkey or chicken mince, and you can swap the macaroni for any short pasta shape you have in the cupboard — penne or fusilli both work well.
How can I make it a bit more grown-up?
A pinch of chilli flakes or a spoon of mixed herbs in the sauce adds extra flavour without changing the method, so you can adjust it to taste once the kids’ portions are set aside.
You may also enjoy
- 8 Proven Family Dinner Ideas Your Picky Eaters Will Love
- 9 Simple Pasta Recipes for Kids to Prepare in No Time
Have you tried this Cheesy Beef Pasta Bake? We’d love to hear how it went down with your family, and any twists you added, in the comments below.
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