Easy Cheeseburger Casserole
This casserole borrows the savory beef, tomato, mustard, and cheddar flavors of a cheeseburger without pretending pasta is a bun. The sauce stays simple and familiar enough for a busy family dinner.
Pasta goes into the baking dish slightly underdone. It absorbs the loose edges of the sauce in the oven and stays tender instead of turning soft and swollen.
The method behind the meal
Why this recipe works
- •Drain excess beef fat so the sauce stays creamy rather than greasy.
- •Undercook the pasta by two minutes.
- •Add pickles after baking so they keep their bright flavor and crunch.
Recipe
Easy Cheeseburger Casserole
Ground beef, tender pasta, tomato, and cheddar baked into a family-friendly cheeseburger casserole.
Prep15m
Cook35m
Total50m
Serves8
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1Heat oven to 375°F. Boil macaroni two minutes less than package directions and drain.
- 2Brown beef and onion for 7–8 minutes. Drain fat, then add garlic and tomato paste for 1 minute.
- 3Stir in mustard, tomato sauce, broth, and 1 cup cheddar. Fold in the macaroni.
- 4Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with remaining cheddar.
- 5Bake 18–20 minutes until bubbling. Rest 5 minutes and finish with pickles and scallions.
Nutrition (per serving, estimated)
524 kcal calories35 g protein45 g carbs23 g fat
