Description
Creamy cheesy hamburger casserole brings comfort food magic to weeknight dinners with ground beef and pasta perfection. Hearty layers of melted cheese and savory meat promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) lean ground beef
Cheese:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) grated mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta and Tomatoes:
- 1 box of macaroni
- 1 can (28 ounces/794 grams) of whole tomatoes, blended
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 400°F, preparing for a hearty comfort meal.
- Heat oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high temperature, then gently sauté onions until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, methodically breaking it into small crumbles while browning thoroughly.
- Enhance the meat with garlic, salt, and black pepper, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the beef.
- Pour whole tomatoes into the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop rich, deep flavors.
- Simultaneously, prepare macaroni in a separate pot, cooking until perfectly al dente, then drain completely.
- Integrate the cooked macaroni into the beef and tomato mixture, ensuring each pasta piece is well-coated with the savory sauce.
- Generously distribute cheddar and mozzarella cheeses across the top of the casserole, creating a tempting golden blanket.
- Transfer the skillet directly into the preheated oven, baking for 10-20 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbling, irresistible topping.
- Remove from oven, allow a brief cooling period, then serve this comforting, cheesy hamburger casserole to eager diners.
Notes
- Swap lean ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier protein alternative that reduces saturated fat intake.
- Boost vegetable content by mixing in chopped bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini during the beef cooking stage for extra nutrition and color.
- Choose whole wheat macaroni to increase fiber and create a more nutrient-dense meal that supports better digestion and sustained energy.
- Use low-fat cheese varieties or reduce cheese quantity if watching calorie intake, maintaining the delicious flavor while creating a lighter version of the casserole.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 110mg