This was a satisfying meal for us when we were growing up, and I love it just as it is. However, my husband has to have some kind of meat or fish with his meals, so I either serve it as a side dish or I add browned ground beef to the macaroni. It’s great either way. It is also one of the few macaroni and cheese dishes made with American cheese. It is so good!
I know it seems like a lot of cheese, but don’t change a thing because that is what makes this dish so good. It serves 4. To double recipe, use whole box of sea shell macaroni and 12 slices of American cheese in 9″ x 13″ lasagna pan.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 box (8 oz.) medium sea shell macaroni
8 slices American cheese
1/4 cup milk*
1/4 cup margarine or 1/2 stick of butter*
oregano*
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 lb. cooked ground beef (optional)**
* I don’t usually measure these items, so use your own judgement.
**If using cooked ground beef, add to macaroni before layering.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil macaroni shells according to package.
Cover bottom of 8″ x 8″ casserole dish with thin layer of milk, then dot with half the butter.
Pour one layer using half of the sea shell macaroni.
Lay out 4 slices of cheese (2 by 2).
Pour the second layer using remaining sea shell macaroni.
Dot with remaining butter.
Lay out remaining 4 slices of cheese.
Drizzle tomato sauce over the top and sprinkle with oregano
Cover with aluminum foil, domed in the middle to keep from touching cheese. Bake until cheese is completely melted, approximately 30 minutes.
Let stand five minutes, serve with salad and warm buttered bread.
Bon appétit!
Family Rating: