Four Layer Hamburger and Macaroni Casserole
Indulge in comfort food bliss with this Four Layer Hamburger and Macaroni Casserole, a hearty dish perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. This layered delight begins with tender elbow macaroni, followed by a savory ground beef and tomato sauce mixture infused with garlic, onions, and Italian seasoning. Creamy, homemade cheese sauce elevates each layer, while a golden topping of breadcrumbs, cheddar, and mozzarella creates an irresistible crunch. Bursting with flavor and easy to assemble, this casserole is baked to bubbly perfection in just under an hour. Serve it hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley, for a rich and satisfying meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Ideal for those craving cozy, oven-baked casseroles loaded with cheesy goodness!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2.5 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Cook the diced onion until soft, about 3-4 minutes, then add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the tomato sauce, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
Gradually add the milk to the roux, whisking constantly to smooth out any lumps. Cook until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Remove the cheese sauce from the heat.
To assemble the casserole, spread half of the cooked macaroni evenly in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish as the first layer.
Add half of the ground beef mixture as the second layer, spreading it evenly over the macaroni.
Pour half of the cheese sauce over the beef for the third layer, spreading it out evenly.
Repeat the layers with the remaining macaroni, ground beef, and cheese sauce.
Sprinkle the top with the breadcrumbs, the remaining cheddar cheese, and the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4162 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 235.8 g | 302% | |
| Saturated Fat | 119.2 g | 596% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 760 mg | 254% | |
| Sodium | 7227 mg | 314% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 296.8 g | 108% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.9 g | 71% | |
| Total Sugars | 64.5 g | ||
| Protein | 225.0 g | 450% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.7 mcg | 34% | |
| Calcium | 3389 mg | 261% | |
| Iron | 21.5 mg | 119% | |
| Potassium | 3736 mg | 79% | |
*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.
