Easy Hamburger Casserole Recipe

Hamburger Casserole is the best comfort dinner; it is filling, hearty, flavorful, and cheesy. It’s super quick and easy to prepare, and it’s made with basic ingredients like ground beef, mushrooms, tomato sauce, pasta, and cheese. It’s a great and flavorful meal to feed a crowd! 

Not only is this an easy hamburger casserole, but it is the best, in my opinion, because many of the others contain just hamburger, condensed soup, potatoes, and cheese. Mine has pasta, fresh vegetables like mushrooms, onions, garlic, diced tomatoes, fresh herbs, and spices. Just because it is easy does not mean it has to be boring. This casserole is bursting with flavors, and the tender beef is soaked in sauce to make it juicy and delicious.

This Hamburger Casserole is the ultimate classic comfort food! Not only is this a quick and delicious dinner, but it is also budget-friendly. All you need is ground beef, mushrooms, tomato sauce, spices, macaroni noodles, and cheese! If you make it once, I guarantee you will be making it again and again. It is just that good and delicious, that even picky eaters will love it! 

The fact that the prep time is about 30 minutes is another bonus point. Having kids and a busy schedule, this is just the perfect meal for those busy weeknights. Not to mention, it is probably one of the most comforting meals. Kids love it, because it is super cheesy and flavorful. 

It can also be made for under $10 so it is very affordable. What’s more, it serves six so the whole family can eat their fill. Make two and have extra to freeze and save for after-school snacks for the kids. It stays fresh for up to three months in the freezer. But the best part? It is a comfort food that makes any day feel like the weekend.

When I am looking for an easy dinner that the whole family will love, this recipe is on top of the list. It is so cheesy and delicious, that it is usually gone in seconds! I love serving it with a fresh cucumber salad, roasted asparagus, or corn salad.

Why you will love this recipe

• It is so easy to make: In just a few minutes and several easy steps, anyone can prepare this simple recipe.
• Save money on ingredients: Even if you have to buy all new ingredients, it will only cost about $10.
• Goes with everything: From soups to salads, veggies, and stuffing, this casserole pairs with anything.
• It can be saved: The leftovers can be frozen for several months so make extra.

What you’ll need to make easy hamburger casserole

Special items:

• Baking dish – A 9×13 baking dish for the casserole.
• Medium saucepan – For boiling the pasta. 
• Colander – To drain the pasta.
• Large skillet – For cooking the beef and veggies.
• Bowls
• Cooking utensils

Ingredients:

• Ground beef – I recommend getting 85/15 lean ground beef for the least amount of grease with the best flavor.
• Shell pasta – I like how the small shellbow pasta hangs onto the sauce and fills up with the hamburger and pieces of onions and garlic.
• Large onion – Any color onion will work in this recipe. I prefer white onion for the fresh clean flavor with a bit of a bite.
• Garlic – Freshly minced garlic adds rich bold garlic flavor. Mince your own to get the freshest taste.
• Mushrooms – I like the large portobellos for their firm texture and beefy taste. But the smaller version, baby bellas (cremini mushrooms) also have a great flavor.
• Cheddar cheese cubes – Cubes of cheese are able to incorporate into the sauce better. They do not fuse together like shredded cheese does when they melt so they create a thicker layer of cheese. 
• Grated cheddar cheese – Freshly grated cheese is finer and works well for getting into those places that cubes cannot reach so the sauce is everywhere.
• Diced tomatoes – I prefer to use San Marzano diced tomatoes because they are beefy, taste fresh, and are never soggy or bland.
• Tomato sauce – Same with tomato sauce. Anything made with San Marzano tomatoes is typically the best.
• Worcestershire sauce – Salty, sweet, savory, and tangy, Worcestershire sauce has all the tastes needed for a delicious casserole.
• Italian seasoning – The blend of seven different herbs and spices is perfect for giving this casserole all the extra flavors it needs. Try my easy homemade Italian seasoning.
• Dried parsley – Seasons the ground beef with a fresh, clean, earthy flavor as it browns.
• Onion powder – Adds a taste between raw and cooked onions to the ground beef for extra flavor.
• Garlic powder – Again, while the ground beef cooks, it gets extra flavor from the garlic powder.
• Salt and Pepper
• Chopped pickles – I prefer roughly chopped dill pickles but use what you like.
• Fresh tomatoes – Diced roma tomatoes, drained of their juice, work best.
• Iceberg lettuce – Chop lettuce into bite-sized pieces to make it easier.
• Sesame seeds – Toasted sesame seeds taste great on this casserole and add a lot of crunch.

How to make hamburger casserole?

1. Preheat the oven: Firstly, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. This way you will save some time while the other ingredients are prepared. 
2. Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package direction. I recommend using macaroni or shell pasta and cook it al-dente. Drain and rinse. 
3. Saute the veggies: In a skillet, add some olive oil, diced onion, mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Saute the veggies. Add minced garlic during the last 30 seconds of cooking. Set aside.
4. Brown the beef: Next, brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Add some olive oil, garlic, and seasoning. Cook the beef until brown in color. Next, add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, along with Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. 
5. Assemble the casserole: Transfer the beef mixture to a 9 by 13 baking dish. Next, add the sauteed mushrooms, on top. Then, toss in the pasta shells, and cheese. Combine together, and top with remaining cheese. 
6. Bake: Transfer the casserole dish into the oven, and bake. 
7. Serve warm.

Expert tip

Using canned tomatoes

Although I typically use fresh ingredients for most of my recipes, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes are often an exception. Especially when making a casserole, which is supposed to be an easy dish anyway, that is because I find San Marzano tomatoes to be so succulent and rich that they are better than fresh sometimes. I have always loved this type of tomato for its unique texture and flavor. They are sweet but they also have an intense tomato flavor with just the right amount of acid.

Some say it is the soil in the southern Italy area of Campania that makes them taste so good. It is full of phosphorus and potassium to give them a distinctive taste. The texture is also different because they are longer and skinnier with thin skin and thick flesh. They are also smaller with less liquid and seeds, so they have a lot more flavor. They only come in plum tomatoes but that is fine with me because they are perfect.

Of course, there are plenty of other types of canned tomatoes and San Marzano tomatoes come in many different brands too. It is not just one brand to choose from. There are over 100. I prefer Cento or Red Gold. However, Hunts, La Valle, Rega, Delallo, and Sclafani are also some great choices. 

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Different meat: Even though it is called hamburger casserole, I have tried it with ground pork, chicken, and turkey for different tastes and they are each incredible in their own way.
• Add more vegetables: Go ahead and toss in some more veggies to make this even heartier. Some of the vegetables I have used include corn, peas, green beans, carrots, and diced bell peppers.
• Potatoes: A great addition to this dish would be adding about 4-5 small potatoes. Simply, peel and slice the potatoes. Then, mix them with cooked pasta and the rest of the ingredients prior to baking. 
• Burgers and tots: To make this casserole a hamburger and tater tot casserole, top it with frozen tater tots. My kids love this because they like to dip the tots in ketchup.
• Crack hamburger casserole: Replace the Italian seasoning with a tablespoon of my ranch seasoning, some chopped bacon, and drizzle with ranch dressing for a crack hamburger casserole since it already has the cheese. 
• Seasoning: Feel free to add your favorite seasonings. For a twist of flavors, try using taco seasoning or cajun seasoning. 
• Swap the cheeses: Feel free to use your favorite type. Mozzarella cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, all work great here. Also, for even more flavor, combine a few kinds of cheeses together. 
• Noodles: Feel free to use any pasta variety. I love using a small shell or macaroni pasta. However, penne, egg noodles, rigatoni work just as well. 
• Heat it up: Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to make this hamburger casserole a spicy dish.

Serving suggestions:

• It goes perfectly with a side of my buttery and fluffy homemade potato dinner rolls. They are super easy to make and taste incredible.
• Another way to soak up the savory sauce in this casserole is with a chunk of French bread. Serve it with a loaf of sliced bread and let everyone choose their own.
• Have the kids eat their veggies by adding a portion of steamed broccoli on the side.
• Start dinner with a bowl of tangy and creamy tomato soup followed by this hearty casserole.
• A fresh dinner salad with greens, tomatoes, cucumber, cheese, and onions would also be a nice accompaniment. I also like this arugula salad on the side.
• Any dessert would go great with this hamburger casserole, but I love it with strawberry shortcake pie. It is easy to make without baking, and the tangy taste is so refreshing.

Frequently asked questions

What are the four components of a casserole?

The best thing about casseroles is the many different ways to make them. However, there are basic categories of ingredients that need to be covered. These include a starch, a protein, a sauce, a vegetable, and a topping. The starch is typically potatoes, macaroni, noodles, or rice.

Protein is usually meat like ground beef, chicken, ham, tuna, ham, or pork. The sauce can be anything that goes with the rest of the ingredients. Veggies may include green beans, peas, corn, carrots, broccoli, or mushrooms. Topping is something crunchy, like cornflakes, breadcrumbs, chips, or nuts.

Do I have to brown the meat before adding it to the casserole?

Although it could be added to the casserole and baked raw, it is much more appetizing and flavorful if it is cooked after it is browned. Searing the meat at a high temperature can help lock in the juices by caramelizing the crust. This also gives it a richer buttery taste. Just be sure to get all of the juices from the pan and the browned bits that form on the bottom of the pan because that is where a lot of the best flavor is.

Should I use glass, metal, or ceramic bakeware for my casserole?

I find that glass is the best because it does not react to any of the ingredients, it keeps food hot for a longer period, and it showcases the different layers of the casserole you worked so hard on. However, it takes longer to heat up and can crack or break in sudden temperature changes.

Metal is preferred for desserts like brownies and cakes because it conducts heat well. Pale or shiny metal is excellent for delicate crust and dark is better for crisping and browning. Ceramic is similar to glass, but it retains heat longer, so this is one of the best products out there.

Why is my casserole watery?

One of the most common reasons is from the pasta. If using shell pasta, be sure to toss it around and check that all the water is out of it. It may be grease rather than water. This can happen if the lean ground beef is not used. When draining the grease, put it in a strainer and press down on it with a paper towel to make sure it is all out. Also, make sure the mushrooms are completely drained and patted dry if using canned. If not, pat them dry after rinsing them. 

How to store leftovers:

• Refrigerate: To refrigerate leftovers use an airtight container. Then, refrigerate for up to 4 days. 
• Freeze: You can easily freeze it cooked or uncooked. Just use a freezer-safe container, and freeze it up to 3 months. 
• Defrost: For the best texture and taste, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. 
• Reheat: To reheat it cooked, simply pop it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes. If the dish is frozen uncooked, then cook it at 375 degrees F for about 30-35 minutes. 

More easy casserole recipes:

Recipe tips:

• Use 85/15 ground beef for the best taste with the least amount of grease.
• Drain and pat dry any vegetables you are using to keep the casserole from having too much liquid.
• All casseroles have to have some starch, protein, sauce, vegetable, and a topping.
• It is important to brown the ground beef before adding it to the casserole. It adds flavor and locks in the juice as it caramelizes the outside.
• I prefer a glass dish for my casseroles but some people like ceramic because it holds heat longer.
• Be sure to drain the pasta well to prevent a watery casserole.
• Also, when removing the excess grease, press down on the meat with a paper towel to get it all out.