Description
Hearty cheeseburger casserole brings comfort food nostalgia with its layers of ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy topping. Satisfying midwestern classic delivers crowd-pleasing flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups water
- 3 beef bouillon cubes
- 2 cups large elbow macaroni, dried
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup whole milk
Cheese and Garnish:
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the kitchen oven to 400°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with non-stick spray to ensure smooth release.
- Create a savory beef broth by dissolving bouillon cubes in hot water, stirring until completely integrated and fragrant.
- Brown ground beef in a spacious skillet, breaking meat into small crumbles and draining excessive fat to maintain a lean mixture.
- Enhance the meat with aromatic onions, minced garlic, and a robust blend of Italian seasoning, chili powder, salt, and pepper, sautéing until vegetables soften and release their natural sweetness.
- Infuse depth by incorporating Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and petite diced tomatoes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Introduce dried elbow macaroni directly into the skillet with prepared broth, covering and simmering until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture, stirring intermittently to prevent scorching.
- Transform the mixture into a creamy delight by gently folding in whole milk and sour cream, creating a luxurious sauce that coats every ingredient.
- Construct layers in the baking dish, alternating beef-pasta mixture with generous handfuls of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, ensuring even distribution for maximum cheesy goodness.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, baking until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling landscape of deliciousness.
- Finish with a sprinkle of dried parsley for visual appeal, allowing the dish to rest briefly before serving to let flavors settle and sauce stabilize.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and adding hot sauce for extra kick.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter, healthier version.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish completely gluten-free and celiac-friendly.
- Prep and store leftovers in airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating gently to maintain creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg