You can’t go wrong with a hearty casserole such as sausage and rice casserole, chile relleno bake and chicken and broccoli casserole. Hamburger casserole is also on my regular rotation, and it’s always a big hit with both kids and adults.
When I’m looking for an easy dinner that I know my family will love, I turn to hamburger casserole. It’s got seasoned beef in a savory sauce, with plenty of cheese on top. This is a must-try recipe!
How do you make hamburger casserole?
Heat olive oil in a pan, then add onions, garlic and sliced mushrooms. Cook until the vegetables are tender, then remove the veggies from the pan. Place the ground beef in the pan, and cook until browned. Add the vegetables back to the pan along with canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasonings. Pour the beef mixture over cooked macaroni noodles, then toss to coat. Pour the pasta mixture into a casserole dish, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Bake until the cheese is melted, then sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.
Tips for the perfect casserole
I typically use 90% lean ground beef for this dish. It has plenty of flavor without a lot of grease. If you use beef with a higher fat content, you’ll want to drain off any excess grease after you cook it. Use pre-sliced mushrooms to save a little bit of prep time. You can use any variety of mushroom. I often use button mushrooms, but cremini mushrooms are also a great choice. I recommend shredding your own cheese for this recipe. The bagged pre-shredded cheeses are often coated with preservatives and anti caking agents and they don’t melt as smoothly. Leftover casserole will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, which makes this dish great for meal prep.
Make ahead instructions
Hamburger casserole can easily be prepared in advance. Toss the noodles with the sauce, then cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Uncover the dish, add the cheese then bake according to the recipe. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time to compensate for starting with a cold casserole. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Assemble the casserole in its entirety, then cover tightly with foil and freeze. Bake the frozen casserole covered for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until warmed through.
Hamburger Casserole flavor variations
This casserole is delicious as-is, but you can add other ingredients to the mix to customize it to your tastes.
Protein: Instead of ground beef, feel free to try ground turkey, Italian sausage or diced cooked chicken. Vegetables: No mushrooms on hand? You can also use bell peppers, a bag of frozen mixed veggies, zucchini, cauliflower or even broccoli. Cheese: Swap out the cheddar for another variety that melts well such as Monterey Jack or mozzarella. Noodles: You can use any type of short pasta such penne, egg noodles, small shells or fusilli.
This cheesy pasta dish is a must-try recipe, it’s got everything you need all in one pan! If you love this recipe, you’ll also enjoy my hearty and delicious homemade hamburger helper and ground beef stroganoff, so give those a try next!
More casserole recipes to try
Corn Casserole Squash Casserole Taco Casserole Pierogi Casserole Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Hamburger Casserole Video
