Homestyle Cheesy Hamburger Casserole: A Weeknight Hug (Print Version)

This Homestyle Cheesy Hamburger Casserole brings back childhood memories. It's a hearty, comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Meat-based

# Ingredients:

→ Hearty Base

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 preferred)
03 - 1 large onion, chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
06 - 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
07 - 2 cups beef broth
08 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
10 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

→ Pasta & Cheese

12 - 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
13 - 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

→ Optional Finishing Touches

14 - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
15 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (for a little kick)

# Instructions:

01 - Grab a big, sturdy skillet or Dutch oven and set it over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Watch it sizzle and brown, getting those lovely crusty bits – that’s flavor, hon! Drain off any excess grease, because nobody wants a greasy casserole. Then, add your chopped onion and minced garlic. Stir them around, letting them soften and release their incredible fragrance. The kitchen will start smelling amazing, I swear, it’s the best part of this step.
02 - Once the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant, pour in your tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (undrained, remember!), and beef broth. Give it all a good stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that’s pure gold, don’t leave it behind! Add the Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, a good pinch of salt, and a generous crack of black pepper. Bring it to a gentle simmer, letting those flavors meld together. This is where the magic really starts to happen for our Cheesy Hamburger Casserole.
03 - While your sauce is simmering happily, cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions, but aim for al dente, maybe even slightly undercooked. It's going to finish cooking in the oven, so you don't want mushy pasta, trust me. I always forget to salt the water enough, so learn from my mistakes – a good handful of salt makes all the difference! Drain it well, but don't rinse it; we want that starch to help thicken our sauce.
04 - Now for the fun part! Add the cooked macaroni directly into your simmering meat sauce. Stir it all together until every piece of pasta is coated in that delicious, savory goodness. It's going to look saucy, and that's exactly what we want. Transfer this glorious mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. I always make sure to spread it out evenly, reaching into all the corners. Sometimes I get a bit messy here, but hey, that's real cooking, right?
05 - Sprinkle about half of your shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the Cheesy Hamburger Casserole mixture. Then, pop it into your preheated oven (375°F or 190°C). Let it bake for about 15-20 minutes, just until it's bubbly around the edges and the cheese is beautifully melted and starting to get golden. Oh, the anticipation! The house will be filled with the most comforting aroma by now, I promise.
06 - Pull the casserole out of the oven and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the hot, bubbly top. Return it to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until that second layer of cheese is perfectly melted and perhaps a little browned and crispy in spots. That extra melted layer is honestly my favorite part! Let the Cheesy Hamburger Casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. It helps the sauce set up a bit, preventing it from being too runny. Dig in and enjoy that warm, comforting hug!

# Notes:

01 - Don't skip browning the meat well; it adds so much depth, I learned that the hard way when I rushed it once.
02 - Leftovers keep brilliantly in an airtight container for up to 3 days, making this a true meal-prep hero for my chaotic week.
03 - Swapping out regular pasta for egg noodles? Yep, I've done it, and it gives a lovely, softer texture, though it soaks up a bit more sauce.
04 - Serve it with a simple green salad and some crusty bread for soaking up all that cheesy goodness; it just feels right.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet or Dutch oven
02 - 9x13 inch baking dish

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450-550
Total Fat: 25-35g
Total Carbohydrate: 30-40g
Protein: 30-40g

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