Hearty Hamburger Casserole with Cheddar and Mozzarella Recipe
This comforting Hamburger Casserole combines tender ground beef, flavorful vegetables, and a creamy cheesy pasta baked to perfection. Layers of browned beef, seasoned tomato sauce, and a luscious cream cheese mixture are baked with shells pasta and topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. A perfect hearty meal that’s easy to prepare and pleasing for the whole family.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef (lean preferred)
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup diced bell pepper (any color)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Tomato Sauce
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (drained, 1 can)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Pasta and Creamy Mixture
- 8 ounces dry shell pasta (½ box)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature, cut into cubes, 1 brick)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (⅜ stick, melted)
Toppings and Garnish
- ½ cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and set it aside for assembling the casserole later.
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked beef to a paper towel-lined bowl to drain excess fat.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet with the leftover fat, add diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Return the cooked beef to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Stir in drained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kosher salt, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: While the meat simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dry shell pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Creamy Pasta: Add the room temperature cream cheese cubes, sour cream, and melted butter to the hot pasta. Stir well until the cream cheese has melted and the pasta is evenly coated with a rich creamy mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the creamy pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the meat and tomato mixture over the pasta. Repeat with the remaining pasta and meat layers. Finally, sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake and Broil: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and bubbly. If desired, switch to broil for 1-2 minutes at the end to brown and crisp the cheese topping—watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired to add a fresh pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- Drain the diced tomatoes well to prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
- Using room temperature cream cheese helps it melt smoothly into the pasta.
- Feel free to use any color bell pepper or a mix for added sweetness and color variation.
- Leftover casserole keeps well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream, and lean ground beef or ground turkey.
- Make sure to stir pasta immediately after draining to prevent sticking while you prepare the rest.
Keywords: Hamburger casserole, cheesy beef pasta bake, creamy beef casserole, ground beef casserole, comfort food, easy casserole
