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Hamburger Casserole Bake

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This easy, cheesy hamburger casserole bake is a comforting, family-friendly dinner loaded with seasoned ground beef, creamy tomato sauce, tender pasta, and plenty of gooey cheese. It’s a kid-approved, freezer-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried basil and oregano)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • 1/4 cup milk (whole, 2%, or unsweetened non-dairy milk)
  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, or penne; gluten-free if desired)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Chopped fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish (optional)
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas or corn (optional)
  • Crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, for topping (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions (6-7 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until mostly browned, about 4-5 minutes. Add onion and cook another 2 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Drain excess grease if needed.
  4. Add tomato sauce, drained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, paprika, and optional red pepper flakes to the beef. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes. Add a splash of water if sauce is too thick.
  5. In a medium bowl, blend softened cream cheese, sour cream, and milk until smooth.
  6. Add drained pasta to the creamy mixture and gently toss to coat.
  7. Layer half of the creamy pasta in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top with half the beef-tomato mixture, then sprinkle with half the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
  8. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, beef sauce, and cheeses. Add optional buttered breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top if desired.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes, until hot and bubbly with cheese melted and lightly golden. For a browned top, broil for 2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  10. Let casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or green onions if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, slightly undercook the pasta and freshly shred your cheese. Let the casserole rest before serving for cleaner slices. You can assemble ahead and refrigerate, adding 10 minutes to bake time if cold. For gluten-free or dairy-free, use appropriate pasta and cheese substitutes. Add extra veggies or spice to customize.

Nutrition

Keywords: hamburger casserole, cheesy casserole, ground beef bake, kid friendly dinner, comfort food, freezer meal, pasta casserole, easy dinner, family recipe

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