Description
Delightful Cheesy Hamburger Casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to family dinner tables with its hearty layers of ground beef, tender pasta, and melted cheese. Home cooks will savor this classic midwestern dish that promises warmth and satisfaction in every satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) lean ground beef
- 1 box macaroni
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (28 ounces / 794 grams) whole tomatoes, blended
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F, preparing a spacious, oven-safe skillet for the culinary adventure ahead.
- Drizzle oil in skillet over medium-high heat, sautéing onions until they transform into soft, translucent golden morsels, approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce ground beef to the caramelized onions, crumbling meat while incorporating salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Cook thoroughly until no pink remains, roughly 7-10 minutes.
- Cascade whole tomatoes into the skillet, stirring to create a robust sauce. Allow mixture to simmer, melding flavors and developing depth. Optional: Sprinkle red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
- Simultaneously prepare macaroni, cooking until just shy of fully tender – maintaining a slight firmness. Drain pasta, setting aside momentarily.
- Marry pasta with beef mixture, ensuring every noodle becomes coated in the savory sauce. Distribute evenly across skillet, creating a uniform layer.
- Lavishly blanket the surface with grated cheddar and mozzarella, promising a luxurious, golden crown.
- Transfer skillet to preheated oven, baking 10-20 minutes until cheese melts into a bubbling, slightly bronzed masterpiece.
- Rest casserole briefly after removing from oven, allowing flavors to harmonize and facilitating easier serving of decadent portions.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or adding jalapeños for heat seekers who want an extra kick.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version that’s equally delicious.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and refrigerate assembled casserole for up to 24 hours before baking, making weeknight dinners super convenient.
- Enhance nutritional value by mixing in chopped spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers during the beef sautéing stage for added vegetables and color.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg