This Hamburger Casserole is the ultimate comfort food dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. It's a hearty, budget-friendly meal that's perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep.
This easy baked casserole combines simple pantry ingredients into one satisfying dish everyone will love. With juicy ground beef, flavorful seasonings, and gooey melted cheese, this recipe quickly becomes a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red or green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- Kosher salt to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook macaroni al dente according to package directions. Drain well.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add diced onion and bell pepper halfway through cooking.
- Cook until vegetables are soft and beef is browned. Drain excess grease.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook 1 minute.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and cooked macaroni.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes and season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish.
- Top evenly with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 5 minutes until cheese melts.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
How to Make the Best Hamburger Casserole
- Cook pasta slightly firm (al dente)
- Drain excess grease from beef
- Simmer sauce briefly for better flavor
- Use freshly shredded cheese
- Let casserole rest before serving
Variations
- Use ground turkey or chicken
- Substitute Italian sausage
- Add mushrooms or zucchini
- Use different pasta shapes
- Add red pepper flakes for spice
Cheese Options
- Mozzarella
- Provolone
- Parmesan
- Fontina
- Pepper Jack for spicy version
Tips
- Do not overcook pasta
- Shred cheese fresh for best melt
- Use lean ground beef
- Make ahead and refrigerate
- Freeze leftovers for later
Nutrition (Per Serving Approximate)
- Calories: 531 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 29g
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Cholesterol: 89mg
- Sodium: 293mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Calcium: 315mg
- Iron: 3mg
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy one-dish meal
- Budget-friendly ingredients
- Perfect for meal prep
- Family-friendly comfort food
- Freezer-friendly leftovers
Conclusion
This Hamburger Casserole is a simple, hearty, and delicious dinner that’s perfect for busy nights. With seasoned beef, tender pasta, and melted cheese, it's a comforting meal that everyone will love. Try this easy casserole recipe and add it to your regular dinner rotation.