Ingredients and Weight:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups chopped onions
- 3 cups tomato sauce (or use a mild tomato-based pasta sauce)
- 1 cup white cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp salt (adjust according to preference)
- 1 tsp black pepper or mixed Italian seasoning
- 1 box (about 5 oz) dry breadcrumbs for topping
Preparation Time:
- Preparation: 30 minutes
- Cooking: 45-60 minutes
- Total: about 90 minutes
Difficulty Level: Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)
Preparation Method Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Boil the macaroni in a pot of salted water until tender, then drain and set aside.
- In a large frying pan, brown the ground beef with the onions until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Add the tomato sauce and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper or mixed Italian seasoning.
- In a separate bowl, mix the white cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth. Beat in the eggs and chopped parsley.
- In a baking dish, layer the cooked macaroni, beef mixture, and cheese mixture in layers, starting and ending with the cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and bake for about 30-40 minutes until bubbling and golden brown on top.
- Allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Information: (Per serving, assuming equal distribution of ingredients)
Calories: approximately 500-600 per serving (depending on ingredients used)
Fat: moderate to high depending on type of cheese used
Carbohydrates: from pasta and cheese
Protein: from meat and cheese
Dish Characteristics:
- A creamy, rich, and comforting dish that combines pasta, tomato-based meat sauce, and a cheese mixture.
- Originates from Greece and is often considered a specialty dish with a rich flavor profile that Americans often enjoy.
User Comments:
- "This dish was amazing! The combination of flavors was perfect."
- "I love how creamy and rich this dish is. It's a great comfort food."
- "This is a great dish to make for a special occasion."
- "My family loved it! It was a hit at our dinner party."
- "I added some extra spices to make it more to my taste, but overall, it was delicious."
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Make sure to use fresh ingredients for best results. If possible, use full-fat cream cheese for richer flavor and texture.
- Adjust seasoning according to preference, especially salt as tomato sauce and cheese may already have some saltiness.
- This dish is quite rich so it may be paired with a lighter side dish or salad to balance the meal.
