Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

This Cheesy Hamburger Casserole is an easy, delicious, and budget-friendly hearty meal the whole family will love! This hearty dish is filled with gooey cheese, Italian beef flavors, and tender pasta. You can't go wrong with this weeknight meal.

And hey, if you love a great hamburger, learn how to cook frozen burgers in oven. It's an easy way to get a great meal!

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this recipe   
• Ingredients
• Instructions 
• Equipment
• FAQ's
• Things to know
• Variations
• Storage
• Related recipes
• Serve with
• Cheesy Hamburger Casserole Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe   

✔️ Like the Big Mac Casserole and the Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole, it's an easy dinner idea made with pantry staples.

✔️ It's a budget-friendly meal.

✔️ It can be made ahead of time and the entire family will love it! It's perfect for busy weeknights,

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

• medium size pasta shells, elbow macaroni
• lean ground beef
• onion, garlic 
• fire roasted tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Worcestershire sauce
• Colby Jack Cheese or shredded cheddar cheese
• sour cream
• cream cheese
• parsley 
• salt and black pepper

Instructions 

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, prepare casserole dish by spraying with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Add the pasta shells to a large pot of boiling salted water. Cook the shell until al dente, drain well and set aside.
3. While the shells are cooking add the ground meat to a large skillet and cook until browned.
4. Remove from the skillet and add the onion and cook for a few minutes then add the garlic.
5. Once the onion are nice and soft add the ground beef back to the skillet along with the tomatoes, Italian seasoning and Worcestershire sauce.
6. Heat through then turn off the heat.
7. In a large bowl, add the cream cheese, sour cream and chopped parsley to the noodles. Stir well to combine until all melty with the noodles.
8. Add the pasta cheese mixture to a greased baking dish in an even layer.
9. Add half of the grated cheese over the top of the shells then top with the ground meat mixture. Spread in an even layer.
10. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
11. Remove and garnish with a little chopped parsley.

Equipment

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• casserole dish
• large pot or dutch oven
• large skillet

FAQ's

Things to know

• Be sure to grease or spray your casserole dish well so that your casserole doesn't stick to the pan.
• I recommend using a glass or ceramic casserole dish, if you are using a metal pan you may need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.
• I've found that using freshly grated cheese melts better and give this casserole the perfect melted cheesy goodness that you crave.
• Fire roasted tomatoes really increases the flavor of this casserole. However, if you don't have them on hand you can use Italian seasoned or regular canned tomatoes instead.

Variations

• If you want a little more flavor in the dish, you could add some diced green pepper or mushrooms.
• Instead of ground beef, you can use ground sausage, ground turkey, or even ground chicken as the protein for this easy recipe.
• Can't find medium shells at your grocery store? You can use your favorite type of pasta instead. I think that elbows or egg noodles would work well in this dish.
• Add a hint of spice to this casserole by adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.

Storage

Refrigerate - Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days in an airtight container.

Freezer - This casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months. I recommend freezing it before baking. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator then bake as directed.

Reheat - To reheat leftovers, just bake in a 350°F oven for about 15 - 20 minutes or until heated all the way through. Single servings can also be reheated in the microwave.

Related recipes

• Are you a fan of pasta casserole recipes? If so, then you may want to give this Monterey Chicken Spaghetti recipe a try. Like the Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini, it's creamy, cheesy and so comforting on a weeknight.
• If you love pasta, be sure and give the Hamburger Corn Casserole a try soon! It's super creamy and rich. A real hearty meal.
• If you love an Italian flavored ground beef casserole then next time make this Creamy Beef Noodle Casserole recipe or the John Wayne Casserole a try. Your family will rave about these recipes!
• The Ham and Potato Casserole Recipe screams comfort food and it is amazing!
• Be sure to try the Johnny Marzetti Casserole, it's beef, cheesy and delicious!

You can never go wrong with a casserole for a chilly night meal. And, I have so many delicious casserole recipes to share with you. I promise you will find some that your family will enjoy.

Serve with

• My family loves when I serve a cheesy casserole like this one with fresh and healthy sides like this Roasted Broccoli with Lemon. It's so easy to make but has a tangy fresh flavor.
• If you have picky eaters you could also serve this Fall Harvest Salad it's the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors with a delicious crunch.
• Does your family love soft and fluffy rolls with their meals? If so, try your hand at these Easy Yeast Rolls they are the perfect family dinner side dish.
• If you'd prefer garlic bread, then be sure to make the Air Fryer Garlic Bread Recipe. I love how crispy and buttery it is.

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