Description
A comforting and cheesy hamburger casserole bake with seasoned ground beef, pasta, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese — perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (penne or elbow)
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic; sauté until soft.
- Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and tomato sauce; simmer for 5 minutes.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the beef and tomato mixture, stirring well.
- Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish and sprinkle with cheddar and mozzarella cheese (and Parmesan if using).
- Bake in preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms.
- Use lean ground beef (90% or higher) to reduce grease.
- Swap in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a mild kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
