Indulge in the comfort of our Cheesy Hamburger Casserole, a delicious and flavorful dish! This mouthwatering casserole is a twist on the classic cheeseburger, combining seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, and melted cheese, all baked to perfection.
Whether you're looking for a cozy meal or planning dinner for the whole family, this recipe is certain to please everyone's taste buds. And the best part is that you can customize the spice level and protein preference to suit your entire family's individual needs. Get ready to make and enjoy a hearty and satisfying dish that will leave you craving more.
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This was inspired by my Sausage casserole on this site!
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Reasons Why You'll Love This Recipe
It's a delicious twist on the classic cheeseburger and is perfect for busy weeknights
It's comforting, hearty, and ideal for cold weather
It's easy to make with simple ingredients and very minimal prep time
It's a crowd-pleaser that can be customized with favorite toppings
It's a great meal prep recipe and it's leftovers that can be enjoyed for days
It's a versatile recipe that can be made with different types of pasta
It's satisfying, kid-friendly, and appealing to even picky eaters
Key Ingredients
Ground beef: You can use ground turkey, ground pork, ground chicken, lean ground
beef, or vegetarian meat crumbles. For this recipe, I used 80/20 beef because it's more flavorful to me. I sometimes add bacon pieces in addition to the ground beef.
Cheddar cheese: Feel free to use Monterey Jack, pepper jack cheese, Colby cheese,
or your favorite cheese.
Elbow macaroni: I sometimes use mini shells, penne, rotini, or bowtie pasta. Be sure to follow the package directions. You can also use gluten-free pasta.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain any excess grease and set the browned beef aside.
To the same skillet add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook until the peppers
soften and the onions become translucent.
Return the beef back to the skillet and combine it with the vegetables. Season the meat mixture with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Add the Worcestershire sauce, marinara sauce, 2 cups of cheese, sour cream, and beef stock. Stir all the ingredients to combine.
Let the mixture simmer on medium heat for 10-15 minutes until the excess juices evaporate and the sauce thickens.
In a medium pot, cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until it becomes al dente. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the beef mixture or add the beef mixture and pasta into a large bowl. Stir to combine.
Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray and sprinkle the remaining cheese cheddar cheese on top of the casserole.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts, and is bubbly.
Garnish your Cheesy Hamburger Casserole with parsley before serving or place it in a hamburger bun.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
To make the casserole spicier, add ingredients like red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, cajun seasoning, chili powder, or creole seasoning to the ground beef mixture.
You can make this casserole ahead of time by preparing it up until step 8, then refrigerating it in an airtight container for up to 24 hours before baking.
If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with vegetarian meat crumbles or additional vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
To store leftovers, allow the casserole to cool completely, then transfer it from the baking dish to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To reheat, you can either microwave individual portions or reheat the entire casserole in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
Substitution and Addition Ideas
Mushrooms or zucchini are a few of the many veggies that can be added to this
casserole.
You can use homemade beef stock or beef broth instead of the store-bought kind. Homemade beef stock and broth will give your casserole an even richer flavor.
Feel free to add more cheese. When it comes to cheese and butter measure with
your heart.
Feel free to experiment with different types of pasta, such as shells, penne, rotini, or bowtie pasta. Gluten-free options are also available.
Customize the cheese by using your favorite variety or a combination of cheeses like Monterey Jack, pepper jack cheese, or Colby cheese.
Add extra vegetables to the casserole for added flavor and nutrition. Mushrooms or zucchini are great options.
If you prefer a creamier casserole, add cream cheese or heavy cream in place of sour cream.
Bacon lovers can add cooked bacon pieces for an extra savory twist.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, if you have a busy weeknight, you can make this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 24 hours before you bake it. This casserole can last in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, you can freeze the casserole before or after baking. I recommend covering it with
plastic wrap and also aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer. It will last for up to 3 months. To reheat the casserole, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake it until it's heated through.
Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make this easy recipe in a slow cooker. I recommend cooking the ground beef and onion in a skillet and then transferring it to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook it on low for about 4-6 hours.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can make this recipe in an Instant Pot. First, cook the ground beef and onion in the Instant Pot on the sauté function and then add the other ingredients. Cook it on high pressure for 4 minutes.
What can I do to make this casserole spicy?
Adding red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, cajun seasoning, chili powder, or creole
seasoning the ground beef mixture will give it some heat.
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Recipe
Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Medium pot
- 9x13 inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Parsley for garnish
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 can marinara sauce
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 box elbow macaroni
- ½ cup sour cream
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain anyexcess grease and set the browned beef aside.
- To the same skillet add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook until the pepperssoften and the onions become translucent.
- Return the beef back to the skillet and combine it with the vegetables. Season the meatmixture with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce, marinara sauce, 2 cups of cheese, sour cream, and beefstock. Stir all the ingredients to combine.
- Let the mixture simmer on medium heat for 10-15 minutes until the excess juicesevaporate and sauce thickens.
- In a medium pot, cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until itbecomes al dente. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the beef mixture or addthe beef mixture and pasta into a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with cookingspray and sprinkle the remaining cheese cheddar cheese on top of the casserole
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish your cheeseburger pasta casserole with parsley before serving or place it in a hamburger bun.
Sarah says
My entire family loved this recipe! Perfect quick, easy meal for weeknights. I served with a fresh garden salad and dinner rolls for a complete meal!
Comfort Food and Drinks says
That makes us so happy, Sarah! Thank you! A garden salad and dinner rolls is a perfect combination - no hungry kids, no hungry family! Just, perfect!
- Essy