Description
Cheesy Hamburger Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for busy nights. This quick and satisfying one-skillet dish features ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese—making it a go-to recipe for families and beginner cooks alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 box macaroni
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes, blended
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F so it’s ready to go once the casserole is assembled.
- Cook the Aromatics: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it turns translucent and slightly golden, about 4–5 minutes.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until it is browned and no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles with a spatula as it cooks.
- Season and Simmer: Stir in the garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour in the blended tomatoes and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer for about 5–7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Boil the Pasta: While the meat mixture simmers, cook the macaroni according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the skillet with the meat sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top of the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10–20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbling, and slightly golden on top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps everything set and makes it easier to scoop.
Notes
- If using a regular skillet, transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish before topping with cheese and baking.
- You can add chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for more nutrition.
- For spice lovers, a pinch of crushed red pepper or chili powder goes a long way.
- Try using part-skim mozzarella and low-fat cheddar to lighten the dish without sacrificing flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous portion
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg