Hamburger Casserole

This Hamburger Casserole is a hearty, cheesy dinner that comes together in one pot on the stovetop, no oven required. Ground beef, rotini, and a rich tomato sauce simmer together until the pasta is perfect.

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This is one of those meals that reminds me of homemade Hamburger Helper from when I was growing up, but it tastes much better, and there are none of the unpronounceable ingredients from the boxed stuff.

This is a real one-pot dinner. The pasta cooks in the sauce, so you get a thick, saucy casserole and only have one pot to clean. Less cleanup is always great, especially on busy weeknights.

You can easily make this recipe your own. Try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version, or use any short pasta you have. Serve it hot with garlic bread for a quick, kid-friendly dinner in less than an hour.

How to make hamburger casserole

First, gather your ingredients.

Ingredients

For best taste, always use the highest quality ingredients you have access to. 

To make this Hamburger Casserole recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• Lean ground beef – Lean beef helps keep the sauce from getting greasy.
• Yellow onion – Diced onion gives the sauce sweetness and a bit more texture.
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder – These simple seasonings add flavor to the beef.
• Beef broth – This gives the sauce a rich, savory flavor.
• Diced tomatoes – One 15-ounce can.
• Tomato sauce – One 15-ounce can.
• Italian seasoning – A classic flavor profile for this type of dish.
• Water – The pasta cooks in the water and sauce together.
• Rotini – You can use another short pasta, like penne or shells, if that’s what you have.
• Shredded Italian blend cheese – Stir this in at the end until it’s melted and creamy.

You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef if you want a leaner casserole.

Cooking hamburger casserole

One-Pot Hamburger Casserole is a simple recipe that can be made in just a few steps. Here is how to make it.

Heat a large pot over medium-high. Add the ground beef, diced onion, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook the beef, breaking it up as it browns.

When the beef is browned, add the beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, water, and rotini. Stir everything together.

Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook. Stir now and then so the pasta doesn’t stick.

When the pasta is al dente, take the pot off the heat and let it sit uncovered for 5 to 7 minutes.

Stir in the cheese a bit at a time until it’s melted and mixed into the sauce. Serve hot with garlic bread.

Leftovers

Keep leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze this casserole: let it cool, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 or 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove with a little water or broth to loosen the sauce.

Always use common sense and good judgment when it comes to leftovers, though! If something looks or smells funky, don’t eat it.

I hope y’all enjoy this homemade hamburger casserole recipe! Let me know if you try it.

More Recipes Like This

• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
• Easy Cajun Jambalaya Pasta
• Homemade Lasagna
• Tuscan Chicken Pasta
• Pasta e Fagioli Soup

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Hamburger Casserole

This Hamburger Casserole is a hearty, cheesy dinner that comes together in one pot on the stovetop, no oven required. Ground beef, rotini, and a rich tomato sauce simmer together until the pasta is perfectly tender.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword hamburger casserole

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 541 kcal

Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 cups beef broth
• 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 15 ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasonings
• 4 cups water
• 1 pound rotini
• 2 cups shredded Italian-blend cheese

Instructions

1. In a large pot over medium high heat, add the ground beef, diced onion, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

2. Brown, breaking up the meat as it cooks.

3. Once the burger is browned, add in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, water, and pasta.

4. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

5. Once the pasta is al dente, remove from the heat and let sit for 5-7 minutes uncovered.

6. Stir in the cheese and little at a time until melted and incorporated into the sauce.

7. Serve hot with your favorite garlic bread.

Nutrition Facts

Hamburger Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 541 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Trans Fat 0.3g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Cholesterol 76mg25%

Sodium 1326mg58%

Potassium 885mg25%

Carbohydrates 66g22%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 37g74%

Vitamin A 652IU13%

Vitamin C 13mg16%

Calcium 267mg27%

Iron 5mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.