Old-Fashioned Hamburger Casserole is a classic comfort food dish made with seasoned ground beef, tender macaroni, and a rich tomato-based sauce baked together under a layer of melted cheese. This hearty casserole is simple, satisfying, and perfect for family dinners.
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:6 servings
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
8 oz elbow macaroni
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chopped onion and cook until softened.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes.
Add the cooked macaroni to the skillet and mix until well combined.
Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish.
Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
You can add vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
Different pasta shapes such as penne or rotini can be used instead of elbow macaroni.
Cover with foil when reheating to prevent the casserole from drying out.
