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Cheesy Hamburger Casserole Bake

Cheesy Hamburger Casserole Bake: Comfort Food in 30 Minutes

Cheesy Hamburger Casserole Bake is a quick, comforting meal that combines ground beef, creamy cheeses, and elbow macaroni, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Casserole
  • 1 lb Ground Beef can substitute with ground turkey
  • 1 medium Onion (diced) can be replaced with shallots or leeks
  • 2 cloves Garlic (minced) can use garlic powder if fresh is unavailable
  • 15 oz Tomato Sauce use marinara for a different flavor
  • 14.5 oz Diced Tomatoes (undrained) fresh diced tomatoes work well when in season
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning dried oregano and basil are suitable substitutes
  • 1 tsp Salt adjust according to your taste
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper freshly cracked pepper offers the best flavor
  • 2 cups Elbow Macaroni (uncooked) shells or penne are great alternatives
For the Cheesy Topping
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded) sharp cheddar amps up the flavor
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded) vegan cheese is a great option for dairy-free
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream Greek yogurt can be a healthier substitution
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated) use nutritional yeast for a dairy-free alternative

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • large skillet
  • pot
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
  5. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and rinse under cool water.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine the macaroni with the beef mixture, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and sour cream. Stir until well combined.
  7. Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For the best flavor, use fresh ingredients when available and feel free to customize the recipe with your favorite veggies or protein substitutions.

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