Heavenly Hamburger Casserole
Indulge in the comforting flavors of a classic with a twist in this **Heavenly Hamburger Casserole**, a perfect crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or potluck gatherings. This layered casserole combines tender pasta, savory seasoned ground beef, and a rich and creamy blend of sour cream and cream cheese, all topped with a gooey duo of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. With a hearty tomato-based meat sauce infused with garlic, onion, and Italian spices, every bite is packed with bold, comforting flavors. Quick to prepare in just 20 minutes and ready to bake to bubbly perfection, this casserole is an easy yet impressive dish that serves up to six. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and a touch of freshness, and enjoy comfort food at its finest! Perfect for those searching for “easy casserole recipes,” “family-friendly dinner ideas,” or “pasta bake recipes.”
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, drained
- 3 cups pasta (such as rotini, penne, or macaroni)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet with the cooked ground beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
Stir in the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Then add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and softened cream cheese. Stir until smooth and well mixed.
Layer the casserole: Spread half the cooked pasta in the prepared casserole dish. Top with half the sour cream mixture, followed by half the meat sauce. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, sour cream mixture, meat sauce, and cheddar cheese.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer.
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
713 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.3 g | 57% | |
| Saturated Fat | 23.7 g | 119% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 135 mg | 45% | |
| Sodium | 1143 mg | 50% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 47.4 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.5 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.2 g | ||
| Protein | 34.9 g | 70% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 463 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 3.6 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 651 mg | 14% | |
*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.
