Description
Hearty cheeseburger casserole delivers classic American comfort with a delightful twist of cheesy, meaty goodness. Crowd-pleasing layers meld perfectly, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
- 3 cubes beef bouillon
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion (diced finely)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 15-ounce (425 grams) can petite diced tomatoes
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups large elbow macaroni (dried)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Dissolve beef bouillon cubes in water by microwaving for 4 minutes until fully integrated. Set prepared broth aside for later use.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking into small crumbles. Drain excess grease and return meat to pan.
- Reduce heat and incorporate onions and all seasonings into beef. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes into the meat mixture. Thoroughly blend ingredients to ensure even distribution.
- Add uncooked macaroni and prepared beef broth directly into skillet. Ensure pasta is completely submerged. Cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring midway to prevent sticking.
- Blend sour cream and whole milk into the pasta mixture, creating a rich and creamy consistency.
- Transfer half the beef-pasta mixture into a 9×13 glass baking dish. Layer with half the mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend.
- Complete the layering by adding remaining beef-pasta mixture and topping with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until cheese melts and edges bubble.
- Garnish with dried parsley after removing from oven. Allow casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Customize seasoning by adjusting spice levels to match personal taste preferences, adding more chili powder for heat or reducing for milder flavor.
- Select lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content while maintaining rich, meaty texture and preventing excess grease in the dish.
- Consider replacing dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives like vegan cheese and coconut milk for a lactose-free or vegan-friendly version of this comfort food classic.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg