Ingredients for 4Th Of July Triple Layered Savory Casserole
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- leek
- green bell pepper
- zucchini
- frozen leaf spinach
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- yellow onion
- celery
- lean ground beef
- beef stock
- tomato paste
- dried oregano
- dried thyme
- dried basil
- elbow macaroni
- all purpose flour
- milk
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
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How to Make 4Th Of July Triple Layered Savory Casserole
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- **Vegetable Layer:** Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leek and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the bell pepper and sauté for another 3 minutes. Stir in the zucchini and spinach, and cook for 3 minutes more. Season with 1/8 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper. Transfer the mixture to a 2 1/2-quart oven-safe casserole dish.
- **Meat Layer:** In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5 minutes, or until no pink remains. Stir in the beef broth, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, and basil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Season with 1/8 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper. Spoon the meat mixture evenly over the vegetable layer in the casserole dish.
- **Macaroni and Cheese Layer:** Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes until pale straw-colored (a roux). Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook for 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/4 cups of the cheddar cheese and 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper. Stir in the cooked macaroni. Spread this mixture evenly over the meat layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Sodium
23 g
Sugar
22g
Fat
78g
Carbs
13g
Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)
Time To Make
Course
Main Ingredient
Cuisine
Preparation
Occasion
North American
Main Dish
Beef
Pasta
Vegetables
American
Potluck
Dinner Party
Holiday Event
Kid Friendly
Summer
Dietary
Low Sodium
Seasonal
Low Carb
Midwestern
Independence Day
Ground Beef
Low In Something
Meat
Pasta Rice And Grains
Elbow Macaroni
Taste Mood
Savory
To Go
Presentation
Served Hot
4 Hours Or Less
