Description
Hamburger casserole is a hearty, family-friendly bake featuring seasoned ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s simple, comforting, and customizable.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 oz pasta (elbow macaroni or rotini), cooked and drained
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil or cooking spray (for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add diced onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (if using), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.Cover with foil during baking to prevent drying out.Add chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition.For a creamy twist, stir in sour cream or cream cheese before baking.Freezes well — store in portions or as a whole dish for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
