frankie’s macaroni casserole

Ingredients For frankie’s macaroni casserole

• 2 1/2 c

  elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
• 2 Tbsp

  butter
• 2 c

  red onions, finely chopped
• 1 c

  celery, finely diced
• 1 c

  red peppers, finely chopped
• 1 c

  yellow peppers, finely chopped
• 1 c

  orange peppers, finely chopped
• 8 lg

  button mushrooms, washed and sliced
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste (i always use mixed peppercorns)
• 2 lb

  lean ground beef
• 3 lg

  cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 can

  (10 ounces) condensed tomato soup
• 1 can

  (28 ounces) whole tomatoes such as san marzano, crushed
• 2 c

  tomato juice
• 2 Tbsp

  brown sugar, such as demerara
• 1 tsp

  dried oregano
• 1 tsp

  dried basil
• 1 tsp

  italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp

  garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp

  red chili flakes, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp

  smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp

  hot sauce, such as cholula®
• 1/2 tsp

  worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp

  cayenne pepper
• 6 slice

  processed cheese such as velveeta®
• 2 Tbsp

  fresh chopped parsley