Description
Quick and comforting 4-ingredient hamburger casserole brings hearty midwest charm to dinner tables with minimal effort. Cheesy layers of ground beef, pasta, and creamy sauce create a satisfying meal that families will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Pasta and Starch:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta
Dairy and Cheese:
- 8 to 10 ounces (226 to 283 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 10 ounces (283 grams) tomato soup, canned or homemade
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- garlic powder, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until it reaches al dente consistency, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully drain and reserve the pasta.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature. Add ground beef and season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Crumble the meat using a wooden spoon and cook until thoroughly browned, roughly 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat while preserving some for flavor.
- Pour tomato soup directly into the skillet with browned beef. Stir thoroughly to coat the meat evenly, allowing the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Select a medium-sized casserole dish and create an even layer of cooked pasta across the bottom. Distribute the beef and tomato soup mixture uniformly over the pasta.
- Generously scatter shredded mozzarella cheese across the entire surface of the casserole, ensuring complete coverage. Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and develops a golden-brown color.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes. This resting period helps stabilize the dish and makes serving easier. Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for added visual appeal and subtle herb flavor.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for lean turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, more diet-friendly version that still delivers maximum flavor.
- Consider adding hidden vegetables like diced zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers into the meat mixture to boost nutritional value without compromising taste.
- Use whole wheat pasta for added fiber and nutrients, which helps make this classic comfort food slightly more nutritionally balanced.
- Control sodium levels by selecting low-sodium tomato soup and reducing added salt, making this dish more heart-healthy without losing deliciousness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg