Cheese Hamburger Casserole Delight - Easy, Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Bake for Comfort-Filled Dinners
Samantha
This Cheese Hamburger Casserole Delight is your go-to solution for cozy, satisfying dinners. With tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, a creamy tomato base, and melty cheddar cheese, it delivers rich flavor in every bite. Great for weeknights, leftovers, or freezer meal prep!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Freezer-Friendly, Meal Prep
Cuisine American Comfort Food
Servings 6 servings
Calories 485 kcal
- 1 lb ground beef 85/15 works well
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Cook the pasta: Boil macaroni in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Brown the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onions until browned. Drain excess fat.
Make the sauce: Stir in tomato sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let simmer 5 minutes.
Combine: Mix the cooked pasta, sour cream, and half of the cheese into the skillet mixture.
Bake: Pour into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.
Serve: Let it rest 5 minutes before serving.
Secret Tips for the Perfect Cheese Hamburger Casserole Delight
1. Choose the right ground beef: Opt for 80/20 ground beef for the perfect balance of flavor and juiciness in your cheesy ground beef pasta bake. The slight fat content will keep the casserole moist without making it greasy.
2. Undercook your pasta slightly: Since the pasta will continue cooking in the oven, boil it just shy of al dente. This prevents it from turning mushy in your hamburger casserole.
3. Layer for maximum cheesiness: Instead of mixing all the shredded cheese into the beef mixture, reserve some to layer on top. This gives you that irresistible golden, bubbly crust when baked.
4. Boost flavor with seasoning layers: Season each component — the beef, the sauce, and even the pasta — rather than relying on one seasoning step. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning make a big difference in a comfort-filled dinner like this.
5. Let it rest before serving: Give your casserole at least 10 minutes to set after baking. This helps the cheesy layers hold together, making it easier to serve neat, picture-perfect slices.Keyword cheese_hamburger_casserole_delight, comfort_food_ground_beef_recipe, easy_cheesy_ground_beef_pasta_bake, family_friendly_hamburger_casserole, freezer_friendly_ground_beef_bake, hamburger_casserole_with_cream_cheese, high_protein_pasta_casserole, kid_approved_weeknight_dinner, meal_prep_casserole_recipe, quick_beef_and_cheese_casserole
