Description
Witches Cauldron Casserole brings Halloween magic straight to my dinner table with its spooky, cheesy goodness. Rich layers of ground beef, peppers, and melted cheese create a wickedly delicious meal perfect for scary movie nights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups cooked pasta
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion
- 1 green bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans
- 1 (15 oz) can corn
Seasonings and Optional Items:
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Optional garnishes: black olive eyeballs, green food coloring, edible Halloween toppings
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Cook 2 cups of elbow macaroni in salted boiling water for 8-9 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add 1 lb ground beef and break into small pieces while cooking for 6-7 minutes.
- Incorporate 1 chopped medium onion, 1 chopped green bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Pour in 1 (15 oz) can rinsed black beans and 1 (15 oz) can drained corn. Stir to combine.
- Add 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Transfer cooked pasta to the meat mixture. Gently fold until evenly coated.
- Pour entire mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese across the top.
- Bake uncovered at 375°F for 20 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges bubble.
- Optional: Decorate with black olive “eyeballs” or green food coloring for Halloween presentation.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a vegetarian version that keeps the hearty texture and flavor.
- Let the casserole rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier without falling apart.
- Choose a sharp cheddar for more intense flavor, or experiment with pepper jack for an extra spicy Halloween twist.
- For a gluten-free option, replace regular pasta with chickpea or brown rice pasta that holds up well during baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 418 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg