Pantry staples to the rescue for this delicious, family-friendly dinner!
On a typical weeknight in my household, it is rarely peaceful. “Three-Ring Circus” comes to mind: the kids, my husband, and me, all moving in concentric circles of evening activities, practices, finishing up work, and needing to feed the family. Somehow, we get it all done, and honestly, sometimes takeout is easiest. But that’s not feasible or healthy every night. A home-cooked meal using easy pantry ingredients is a lifesaver!
Cheeseburger casserole fits the bill. The good news is that you probably have the ground beef, pasta, onion, broth, cheese, and seasonings it calls for. The great news is that it’s delicious! It may look like your average “Hamburger Helper,” but believe me, it’s a step above. The seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and mustard (yes, that’s right—trust me!) make this casserole tasty and interesting. It’s a far cry from just ground beef and noodles.
You will love cheeseburger casserole because it is easy to put together, uses lots of pantry ingredients with easy subs/swaps, and can be made ahead. The dish, with its familiar ingredients, is one that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
How to cook pasta al dente for a casserole
You may notice that in step two, the instructions call for cooking the pasta al dente. This Italian term literally means “to the tooth,” and it refers to pasta that is cooked until it’s tender but still has a slight firmness when bitten. Your teeth should do a little work! This is especially important in recipes like this one, where the pasta will be baked with additional liquid (in this case, broth). If the pasta is overcooked from the start, the final dish can turn out mushy and bland. To avoid this, start checking the pasta for doneness at around the five- to six-minute mark, depending on the type and brand. It’s better to slightly undercook it at this stage than to overdo it.
How do I store leftovers?
Once cooled, leftovers can be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 4 days. For longer storage, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating in the oven or microwave.
Serving suggestions
With cheeseburger casserole, you have a hearty, one-pot meal. But especially if you have hungry kids or teenagers like I do, you might want some sides to go along with it. The natural one to serve is Perfect French Fries In The Air Fryer. Using your air fryer is a great idea, since your oven is tied up with the casserole. If you want a green veggie instead of fries, your air fryer can do that too: try Easy Air-Fryer Zucchini Chips. Other ideas for sides include Caesar Salad or House Salad. Or, for the easiest way to get some green in with cheeseburger casserole, you can simply toss in two handfuls of fresh baby spinach at the end of step five.
Cheeseburger Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 1/4 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 pound elbow macaroni uncooked
- 1 pound ground beef 85% lean
- 1/2 large onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 1 1/4 cups beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Mix the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese together.
- In a pot over high heat, boil the noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the beef is browned and crumbled. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and mustard. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add the cooked noodles and broth to the ground beef mixture. Cook for a couple of minutes until broth is heated through. Stir in half of the shredded cheese and season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the beef and pasta mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Garnish with green onions and serve.
Leave a Comment