Hamburger Casserole

Name: Hamburger Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 small onion, diced; 1 red or green bell pepper diced; 2 cloves garlic minced; 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce; 1 (14.5 ounces) can fire roasted diced tomatoes; 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni; Kosher salt to taste; Fresh ground black pepper to taste; 1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1 cup finely shredded Monterey Jack cheese

May 10, 2023 by Beth Pierce 56 Comments

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This easy Hamburger Casserole is loaded with flavor from sweet onions, red bell pepper, garlic, tomatoes, and elbow macaroni, all in a perfectly seasoned tomato sauce base and topped with Monterey Jack cheese and cheddar cheese. Enjoy this hearty casserole with a simple garden salad and crusty garlic bread.

This easy Hamburger Casserole is loaded with sweet onions, red bell pepper, garlic, tomatoes, and elbow macaroni, all in a perfectly seasoned tomato sauce base and topped with Monterey Jack cheese and cheddar cheese.

How to make Hamburger Casserole

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni al dente according to package instructions. Drain well in a colander in the sink.

Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. About halfway through the browning process, add the onion and the red bell pepper. Continue cooking until the veggies are soft and the ground beef is browned. Drain any excess grease. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly.

Stir in the tomato sauce, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and cooked macaroni. Simmer for a couple of minutes. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Spoon the beef mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole. Top with a mixture of shredded cheddar cheese and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Cover and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes.

Helpful Recipe Tips

Cook the noodles al dente, which means slightly firm, as they will be simmered for a few minutes and baked as well.
Use any short pasta shape with this recipe, including rotini, elbow macaroni, farfalle, penne, and cellentani pasta.
Any color bell pepper works in this recipe, including green bell peppers.
Cook in the oven just long enough to heat the casserole and melt the cheese.
Other cheeses to try include mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, Fontina, and, if you like things a little spicy, Pepper Jack.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.

Enjoy this hearty casserole with a simple garden salad and crusty garlic bread.

Hot to Freeze Hamburger Casserole

Already baked – first, let the casserole fully cool. Then wrap the dish in several layers of plastic wrap. Place on a level shelf in the freezer and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and remove the casserole from the fridge 40 minutes before baking to bring it to room temperature. Reheat at reduced power in the microwave.

Before baking – prep the dish and wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap. Place on a level shelf in the freezer and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and remove the casserole from the fridge 40 minutes before baking to bring it to room temperature. Bake according to the recipe directions.

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