Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Deep Dish Hamburger Casserole! Layered with savory ground beef, tender rotini pasta, and a rich tomato sauce seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs, this hearty dish is topped with a mouthwatering blend of melty mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Perfect for feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this crowd-pleasing casserole comes together in just an hour and bakes to golden, bubbly perfection. Serve it as is or garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley for a flavorful finishing touch. Ideal for weeknight dinners or potlucks, this casserole combines the nostalgia of hamburger dishes with the satisfying depth of a baked pasta bake.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 0.5 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Add the remaining half of the pasta mixture on top of the cheese layer. Finish with the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top.
Cover the casserole dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Optional: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley over the top before serving.
Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Calories |
3790 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 208.3 g | 267% | |
| Saturated Fat | 98.5 g | 492% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 630 mg | 210% | |
| Sodium | 6837 mg | 297% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 252.9 g | 92% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.5 g | 84% | |
| Total Sugars | 37.2 g | ||
| Protein | 224.4 g | 449% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 3472 mg | 267% | |
| Iron | 21.9 mg | 122% | |
| Potassium | 2777 mg | 59% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.