Description
Hearty cheeseburger casserole delivers comfort food magic straight from midwestern kitchens. Ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots combine for a satisfying meal that will make families gather eagerly around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 2 cups (170 grams) elbow macaroni, cooked
- 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) tomato sauce
- 1 cup (113 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, sautéing onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook thoroughly until meat browns and crumbles evenly.
- Drain any accumulated fat from the meat mixture, then incorporate diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and intensify.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with the seasoned beef mixture, ensuring thorough and even distribution.
- Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the entire casserole, creating a complete cheese coverage.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 3-5 minutes to stabilize and cool slightly.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added color and subtle herbal notes before serving.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce fat content and create a healthier version of the casserole.
- Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives for dietary restrictions.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like mozzarella or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles.
- Prep ingredients in advance to streamline cooking process and save time during busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg