Description

This Hamburger Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish combining al dente elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, and a flavorful tomato-mayo mixture, all topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh romaine lettuce. It’s an easy-to-make casserole ideal for family dinners, with a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors baked to bubbly perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 oz. elbow macaroni
Kosher salt (for boiling water)

Beef Mixture

1 lb. ground beef
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 (14-oz.) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped dill pickles
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. yellow or Dijon mustard
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup water

Cheese & Toppings

6 oz. shredded cheddar cheese (about 1 1/2 cups), divided
2 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds (optional)
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped

Instructions

Preheat and cook pasta: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a 13×9-inch baking dish.
Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef in large chunks and let it cook undisturbed until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Then break up the meat with a spatula and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until fully browned and no pink remains, about 4 more minutes. Transfer the cooked beef to the baking dish over the pasta.
Prepare the sauce: Lower the skillet heat to medium. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the diced tomatoes, mayonnaise, chopped pickles, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, 1 cup of water, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Let the mixture combine and heat through. Pour this sauce over the beef and pasta in the baking dish.
Add cheese and mix: Stir in 3 oz. of shredded cheddar cheese into the casserole mixture until evenly distributed. Then, sprinkle the remaining 3 oz. of cheddar cheese on top. Optionally, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds over the cheese for added texture and flavor.
Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Serve with lettuce: Remove the casserole from the oven and top with freshly chopped romaine lettuce just before serving to add a crisp, refreshing contrast.
Make ahead option: You can assemble the casserole without baking up to 1 day in advance. Cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 12 to 15 minutes until bubbly and hot.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
Use sharp cheddar cheese for a stronger cheese flavor.
Make sure not to overcook the pasta initially since it will cook further during baking.
To keep the lettuce crisp, chop it just before serving rather than mixing it into the casserole.
Optionally, skip the sesame seeds if you prefer a nut-free topping.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: hamburger casserole, beef casserole, baked pasta, comfort food, cheesy casserole