Quick & Tasty Hamburger Casserole Recipe for Busy Families

Crafting a hearty hamburger casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table.

Layers of savory ground beef meld perfectly with creamy cheese and soft pasta.

Weeknight meals demand something quick yet satisfying that everyone will enjoy.

Busy families need delicious solutions that don’t compromise on taste or nutrition.

Rich flavors combine effortlessly in this simple midweek meal solution.

Home cooks appreciate dishes that come together without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

You’ll love how this recipe delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

One bite promises to become a new family favorite that sparks happy mealtime conversations.

Hamburger Casserole That’s Cheesy And Family-Approved

• Quick Family Feast: Whip up this hearty hamburger casserole in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknight dinners that satisfy everyone's hunger.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Combine simple ingredients with no complicated techniques, making this recipe a breeze for home cooks of all skill levels from teenagers to busy parents.
• Budget-Friendly Comfort: Transform affordable ground beef and pantry staples into a filling, delicious meal that stretches your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with familiar ingredients like pasta, cheese, and ground beef, this casserole guarantees clean plates and happy smiles around the dinner table.

What’s Pulled Into Hamburger Casserole

• Rotini or Medium Pasta: Hearty base that holds sauce well, ideal for casseroles with great texture.
• Frozen Mixed Vegetables (Peas, Carrots, Corn): Quick nutrition boost with colorful vegetable mix, adds freshness and balanced nutrients.

• Lean Ground Beef: Main protein source providing rich, meaty flavor with less fat.
• Onion: Aromatic base that adds depth and sweetness to the overall dish.

• Pasta Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Creates rich, robust tomato foundation with layered tomato flavors, canned varieties offer convenience.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds complex umami and tangy undertone to enhance overall taste.

• Dried Oregano, Dried Basil, Garlic Powder: Classic Italian-inspired herbs and spices that complement tomato and meat flavors.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all other ingredients.

• Cheddar-Mozzarella Blend: Melts beautifully, provides creamy, golden coverage with sharp and mild cheese notes.

Hamburger Casserole Prep Guide

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.

Toss in your rotini pasta and cook until it reaches that perfect al dente texture.

Once done, drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside, ready for its flavor adventure.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat up a large skillet over medium flame.

Crumble the ground beef into the pan, letting it sizzle and transform into a golden-brown delight.

Toss in the chopped onions, stirring until they become translucent and fragrant.

Step 3: Create the Flavor Base

• Pasta sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dried oregano
• Dried basil
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Let the mixture simmer and bubble, allowing the flavors to dance and meld together for 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: Combine and Layer

Gently fold the cooked pasta and frozen vegetables into the rich, savory sauce.

Transfer this delicious mixture into a baking dish, creating a hearty foundation for your casserole.

Step 5: Cheese Topping Magic

Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar-mozzarella blend across the top, creating a golden, melty blanket of cheesy goodness.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into a preheated oven at 350°F.

Let it bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, slightly crispy topping.

Step 7: Serve and Devour

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes.

Scoop out generous portions and watch as your family and friends dive into this comforting, delicious meal.

Smart Tips for Hamburger Casserole

• Cook rotini exactly to al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain perfect bite in your casserole.
• Swap frozen vegetables with fresh seasonal veggies like bell peppers or zucchini for added nutrition and flavor variety.
• Brown ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat to concentrate rich, savory flavors and reduce greasiness.
• Sprinkle cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent burning and achieve golden, perfectly melted topping.
• Prepare casserole in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready – flavors will develop deeper, more complex taste profile.

Save Hamburger Casserole And Reheat With Ease

• Store leftover hamburger casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, ensuring all air is removed. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover casserole with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

Table Companions for Hamburger Casserole

• Crisp Green Salad Pairing: Toss a light, refreshing salad with mixed greens, cucumber slices, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, hearty casserole.
• Bold Red Wine Selection: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel to complement the savory beef and tomato-based sauce.
• Zesty Garlic Bread Sidekick: Serve warm, buttery garlic bread with herbs to soak up the delicious sauce and add a crunchy texture contrast.
• Cool Cucumber Yogurt Sauce: Prepare a quick, fresh cucumber-yogurt sauce with dill to provide a cool, creamy counterpoint to the warm, cheesy casserole.

Hamburger Casserole Combos

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free rotini or penne. Use gluten-free pasta sauce and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Adaptation: Swap ground beef with plant-based meat crumbles or lentils. Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for protein and texture.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute pasta with cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles. Reduce tomato sauce quantity to lower carbohydrate content.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use dairy-free cheese substitute or nutritional yeast. Replace shredded cheese with dairy-free cheese shreds or simply omit cheese topping.

FAQs

• Is this hamburger casserole a kid-friendly meal?

Yes, it’s perfect for kids. The cheesy top, familiar pasta, and hidden vegetables make it a crowd-pleaser that children will love without realizing they’re eating nutritious ingredients.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is an excellent lean protein substitute that works perfectly in this recipe. Just ensure you brown it thoroughly and drain any excess fat.

• How can I make this casserole more nutritious?

Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to boost the nutritional value. You can also use whole wheat pasta for more fiber and nutrients.

• Do I need to pre-cook the frozen vegetables?

No, you don’t. The frozen vegetables will cook perfectly in the oven while the casserole bakes, maintaining their texture and nutrients.

Hamburger Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty hamburger casserole delivers comfort and nostalgia in one delicious dish. Layers of seasoned ground beef, cheesy pasta, and crispy edges create a satisfying meal families will devour in minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) rotini or medium pasta
• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups (240 grams) frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)

Tomato and Sauce Components:

• 14 ounces (396 grams) pasta sauce (canned/jarred)
• 14 ounces (396 grams) diced tomatoes, lightly drained (1 can)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 small onion, diced

Seasonings and Cheese:

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) shredded cheddar-mozzarella blend

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare rotini pasta according to package directions until perfectly tender, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking into crumbly pieces while cooking.
3. Add diced onions to the meat and sauté until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
4. Pour in pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasonings including Worcestershire sauce, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Allow the sauce to simmer and develop robust flavors for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
6. Gently fold frozen vegetables into the meat sauce, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
7. Transfer the entire mixture into a prepared baking dish, creating an even layer of the hearty sauce and pasta.
8. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar-mozzarella cheese blend generously across the top, covering the surface completely.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 22-27 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
10. Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 3-5 minutes to allow flavors to settle and sauce to slightly thicken.

Notes

• Ensure pasta is cooked al dente to prevent mushiness during baking, maintaining a perfect texture in the final dish.
• Drain ground beef thoroughly to reduce excess grease and prevent a soggy casserole bottom.
• Customize vegetable mix by swapping frozen vegetables with fresh seasonal produce for added nutrition and flavor variety.
• Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and checking that tomato sauce ingredients are gluten-free certified.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg