Description
Sizzling cheeseburger casserole brings classic American comfort to dinner tables with its hearty layers of ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy edges. Home cooks will savor this nostalgic dish that combines familiar flavors in one satisfying skillet.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
Pasta:
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
Canned Tomato Products:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 ounces / 227 grams) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Condiments and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
Cooking Ingredient:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped fresh parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing a welcoming environment for the casserole.
- Cook pasta until tender, ensuring al dente texture, then drain thoroughly and reserve.
- In a spacious skillet, sizzle ground beef with aromatic onions and garlic until meat turns rich brown, carefully eliminating excess grease.
- Introduce tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and optional mustard, seasoning with salt and pepper. Allow flavors to meld for 5 minutes over gentle heat.
- Marry the savory beef mixture with cooked pasta, gently folding in half of the sharp cheddar cheese for initial flavor complexity.
- Transfer the hearty mixture into a prepared baking dish, creating an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Crown the casserole with remaining cheese, creating a golden, melting topping.
- Slide into preheated oven and bake 20-25 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbling, irresistible blanket.
- Rest the casserole briefly after removing from oven, allowing flavors to settle and making serving easier.
Notes
- Optimize pasta texture by cooking al dente to prevent mushiness during baking.
- Enhance flavor depth by using lean ground beef with higher fat content for richer taste.
- Customize dietary needs by substituting ground beef with turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for lighter protein options.
- Reduce sodium levels by selecting low-sodium tomato sauce and using fresh herbs instead of salt for seasoning.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 402 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg