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Hamburger Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 81 reviews

This Hamburger Casserole is a comforting and savory dish combining al dente elbow macaroni, browned ground beef, a flavorful tomato-mayonnaise sauce with pickles and spices, topped with melted cheddar cheese and crisp romaine lettuce. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family dinners, made quickly in the oven.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • 8 oz. elbow macaroni
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 (14-oz.) can diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup chopped dill pickles
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp yellow or Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 oz. shredded cheddar cheese (about 1 1/2 cups), divided
  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat and cook pasta: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until very al dente—about 2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a 13″ x 9″ baking dish.
  2. Brown the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef in chunks, cooking undisturbed for about 4 minutes until the bottom forms a deep brown crust. Break up the meat with a spatula and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until no pink remains, about 4 more minutes. Transfer the cooked beef to the baking dish with the pasta.
  3. Sauté onions and prepare sauce: Lower heat to medium and cook the chopped onion and garlic in the same skillet until softened and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes, mayonnaise, chopped pickles, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, 1 cup of water, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well and transfer this sauce mixture into the baking dish over the beef and pasta.
  4. Add cheese and toppings: Stir in 3 oz. of shredded cheddar cheese to evenly distribute within the casserole. Then top with the remaining 3 oz. cheddar and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds if using.
  5. Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese melts and the casserole bubbles.
  6. Garnish and serve: Remove casserole from the oven and top with chopped romaine lettuce before serving for a fresh, crunchy finish.
  7. Make ahead tip: This casserole can be assembled without baking up to 1 day in advance. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes until heated through and bubbly.

Notes

  • Using very al dente pasta prevents the macaroni from overcooking during baking and keeps the casserole’s texture perfect.
  • If you prefer, use yellow mustard instead of Dijon for a milder tang.
  • Adding pickles to the sauce gives a unique and flavorful twist reminiscent of a hamburger’s classic toppings.
  • To make this dish gluten-free, swap elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta.
  • Toasting sesame seeds enhances their nutty flavor but is optional.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 2-3 days and reheat easily covered in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: hamburger casserole, ground beef casserole, baked macaroni, cheesy casserole, easy dinner recipe, one dish meal

Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/hamburger-casserole-recipe/