Rating: 3.65
(135)

Hamburger Casserole

January 13, 2025

Hamburger casserole is the ultimate comfort food – hearty, filling, and packed with flavor. This one-dish wonder brings together ground beef, savory vegetables, cheese, and pasta or rice, all baked to perfection in a single pan. Perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, hamburger casserole is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. It’s the type of meal that not only satisfies hunger but also delivers a delicious combination of textures and flavors that everyone can enjoy.

The base of hamburger casserole typically starts with ground beef, which is browned and seasoned to create a rich, savory foundation for the dish. The beef provides protein and flavor, while onions, garlic, and bell peppers are often sautéed with the meat to add depth and sweetness. You can also include vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach to add more color and nutrition.

Next, a starch is added to the casserole – often pasta (such as elbow macaroni or penne) or rice. Both options work well, depending on what you have on hand or your personal preference. The pasta or rice soaks up the savory flavors from the beef and sauce, making every bite comforting and satisfying. A creamy sauce made from a combination of cream of mushroom soup, tomato sauce, or beef broth ties everything together, ensuring the casserole is moist and rich.

Once everything is combined, shredded cheese is sprinkled over the top before baking. Cheese not only adds a creamy, melty layer but also a golden, bubbly crust that’s the hallmark of a perfect casserole. Cheddar cheese is a popular choice, but you can use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or any cheese that melts well for added flavor and texture.

Bake the casserole until it’s bubbling and the cheese is golden brown. The result is a deliciously comforting dish that’s both filling and flavorful, with a nice balance of savory beef, soft pasta or rice, and gooey cheese. Hamburger casserole is great for feeding a hungry family or for meal prepping, as it can easily be stored in the fridge and reheated throughout the week. It’s a simple yet satisfying meal that brings warmth and comfort to any table.

Hamburger Casserole
Hamburger Casserole
3.65 from 135 votes
This Hamburger Casserole is a hearty and satisfying dish made with layers of ground beef, pasta, and cheese baked to perfection.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 minute

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef lean
  • 1 cup onion chopped
  • 2 cups pasta uncooked
  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is browned and crumbled. Drain excess grease.
  • Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until it is soft.
  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions and drain.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef and onions, cooked pasta, and tomato sauce.
  • Transfer the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 30gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 620mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 3mg
Calories: 450kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Casserole, comfort food, ground beef
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar leslee.feil says:

    5 stars
    This casserole was a hit at our family dinner! Everyone loved it, especially the cheesy top. I added some mushrooms for extra flavor. Will definitely make it again!

  2. User avatar MAGA2024.Trumpster says:

    2 stars
    I don’t get why everyone loves this. It was super bland and kinda soggy. Maybe I did something wrong, but I followed the recipe. Not gonna make it again.

    1. User avatar grant.rippin55 says:

      4 stars
      I totally get what you mean. I found it a bit bland too! Maybe more spices would help next time.

  3. User avatar jacquelin.greenfelder0 says:

    3 stars
    Tasted good but took longer than expected to cook. Pasta turned kinda mushy.

  4. User avatar britney.vonrueden69 says:

    5 stars
    This is my go-to recipe! So simple and delicious. My kids love it!

    1. 5 stars
      I totally agree! This recipe is a lifesaver for busy nights. My kids can’t get enough of it either!

    2. 3 stars
      Sounds good, but my kids are picky. Do you think it would work with chicken instead of beef? 🤔

  5. User avatar pia.gutkowski says:

    5 stars
    Made this last night—super comforting. The cheddar on top gets nice and bubbly, and the whole thing tastes way better than I expected for such basic ingredients. Will definitely make again!

  6. 2 stars
    Not a fan. The beef tasted weird to me. Maybe my sauce was off?

  7. User avatar diedra.osinski1996 says:

    4 stars
    Man, I forgot the onions! But it still turned out good. Who needs onions anyway???

  8. User avatar alanna.witting says:

    2 stars
    Looks easy but not sure about the combination of flavors. Maybe I’ll skip the cheese.

  9. 5 stars
    This was amazing! So easy to make and my kids loved it.

  10. User avatar alisa.tremblay1963 says:

    2 stars
    Tasty but way too much cheese! My heart can’t take this much. 🤢

    1. User avatar Charity Case says:

      4 stars
      I actually love cheese, the more the better! 😍 But I get what you mean about it being a bit much.

    2. User avatar lashaunda.renner says:

      3 stars
      Honestly, you could probably use less cheese. Ever tried mozzarella instead? Might be lighter!

  11. User avatar aubrey.bernier says:

    1 star
    Didn’t work out for me, the beef was too greasy after cooking. I won’t be making this again.

  12. User avatar Duncan Idaho says:

    3 stars
    Honestly, just okay. Not bad but I’ve had better. 😐

  13. User avatar rosendo.witting52 says:

    5 stars
    Never cooked pasta in casserole before! Love this! 5 stars for sure!

  14. User avatar Draugr Thrall says:

    5 stars
    Just made this for dinner and the whole family devoured it! So good!

  15. User avatar nanette.stanton says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was a hit with my family! Super easy and delicious! 5 stars!

  16. User avatar jonathan.spencer2 says:

    2 stars
    Seems way too basic. Where’s the flavor?? Just meat and cheese. Meh.

    1. User avatar santiago.rath42 says:

      4 stars
      I actually love how simple it is! Sometimes you just need comfort food without a million spices. 🧀🍝

  17. User avatar basementDweller says:

    2 stars
    Honestly, didn’t enjoy it at all. The pasta got mushy and the flavor was off.

  18. User avatar del.gulgowski44 says:

    4 stars
    Can I use ground turkey instead of beef? Trying to be healthier.

    1. User avatar rebbecca.fay19 says:

      5 stars
      Yes, you can! Ground turkey is a great healthier alternative. Just make sure to season it well since it can be a bit bland on its own.

  19. User avatar nathaniel.kris61 says:

    1 star
    Too much grease! I drained the beef but still greasy in the end. Will not make again.

    1. User avatar trey.blanda says:

      4 stars
      I totally get what you mean! I thought it would be less greasy too, maybe using ground turkey instead of beef would help next time. 🤔

    2. 2 stars
      Just use less meat! And next time maybe don’t drain it so much? Lol. It’s called hamburger casserole, not lettuce casserole!

  20. User avatar glen.friesen says:

    1 star
    You call this a casserole? 🙄 It’s just pasta and sauce. Meh.

  21. User avatar efrain.thiel68 says:

    1 star
    idk, I don’t get the fuss. It’s just spaghetti with beef? Not impressed.

  22. 3 stars
    I tried it but the pasta got mushy. Maybe I cooked it too long?

  23. User avatar troy.effertz1981 says:

    5 stars
    My kids loved it! This is going in my weeknight rotation for sure!

  24. User avatar Sand-Dial says:

    4 stars
    So easy to make! Perfect for a busy weeknight. Will impress guests for sure!

    1. User avatar arden.turner31 says:

      5 stars
      I made this last week and it was a hit! Super easy and delicious! Will definitely make it again.

  25. User avatar kim.osinski1973 says:

    4 stars
    I didn’t have pasta, used rice instead and it turned out fine. But I prefer pasta. My bad!

  26. User avatar anette.oconner14 says:

    5 stars
    This was super easy to make and tasted great! My kids loved it!

  27. 4 stars
    Yay pasta! Easy recipe, my kids ate it all, and that says a lot!

    1. User avatar Mrs. Lin Prosacco says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad your kids loved it! This is definitely a family favorite in my house too. 😊

  28. 2 stars
    Cheddar cheese is the best on pizza, but not sure about this.

  29. User avatar young.schneider says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was so fast to prepare! Love it!

    1. User avatar allan.murray69 says:

      2 stars
      It’s just pasta and meat, I don’t get the hype. Could be better.

    2. User avatar Lunkwill and Fook says:

      5 stars
      I agree! Super easy and delicious. My kids loved it too!

  30. User avatar clint.stanton says:

    3 stars
    It was okay, but the pasta got too mushy for me. Maybe need to reduce cooking time?

  31. User avatar rich.landlord says:

    5 stars
    Easy to follow! Only took me a few minutes. My kids loved it! 🍝

  32. User avatar isaias.hammes says:

    1 star
    This is not a casserole, it’s pasta with sauce! 😅 But yeah I ate it all.

  33. User avatar Pepe C. Cola says:

    5 stars
    Yum!!! I added some garlic and it was soooo good! 🧄🧀

  34. User avatar justin.kerluke1958 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! So cheesy and filling! I’ll definitely make this again. 👍

  35. User avatar ricky.predovic1998 says:

    5 stars
    This was delicious! Super easy to make and the whole family loved it. Will definitely make again!

  36. User avatar alfred.mueller78 says:

    1 star
    Why is it called casserole? It’s just pasta with meat and cheese. Felt misled.

  37. User avatar Rusty Fender says:

    5 stars
    I can’t cook but this was like super simple! Thanks!

  38. User avatar gordon.bednar22 says:

    3 stars
    Tasted ok, but I thought it would be more like a pizza. Should add toppings.

  39. User avatar renato.cole12 says:

    5 stars
    This was a hit with my family! Super easy to make and so cheesy. We’ll definitely make it again.

  40. 3 stars
    I forgot the cheese and it was still good. Who needs it anyway?

  41. User avatar cameron.berge13 says:

    2 stars
    I couldn’t get the cheese to melt properly. Maybe I did something wrong?

  42. User avatar halflife4 says:

    3 stars
    Not sure about the cheddar on top. I used mozzarella and it was good but different.

  43. User avatar fausto.nicolas79 says:

    4 stars
    I used turkey instead of beef. Still turned out tasty! I love cooking light!

  44. 2 stars
    Not really my style. It turned out too mushy for my taste.

  45. User avatar ferdinand.reilly72 says:

    2 stars
    Too much onion for my likin. 1/2 cup would of been enough, next time.

  46. User avatar judson.towne58 says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical at first about mixing pasta and beef like this, but it turned out great! So cheesy!

  47. User avatar Lulu Hill says:

    3 stars
    I dunno, I feel like it needs some spice or something. Kinda bland.

  48. User avatar georgia.jacobs says:

    4 stars
    This is surely an American dish. Hamburger and cheese… classic!

  49. User avatar dorthea.hansen16 says:

    4 stars
    I didn’t have cheddar, so I used mozzarella. Still turned out great!

  50. User avatar victor.davis63 says:

    1 star
    Cheese was great. But onion overwhelmed it… or maybe my salt was off. Either way, not my favorite.

    1. User avatar loreta.herzog1970 says:

      4 stars
      Wait… is 1 cup onion actually a lot? I usually add the full amount and it’s fine. Maybe your salt was off or your cheddar wasn’t sharp enough? 🤷‍♂️

    2. User avatar cristopher.champlin says:

      3 stars
      Aw that’s a bummer! I’ve found if you sauté the onion a bit longer (and maybe use a slightly smaller amount), it blends better with the tomato sauce and cheese instead of taking over.

  51. User avatar reanna.deckow60 says:

    3 stars
    How much pasta? 2 cups uncooked don’t seem to be enough. It didn’t fill the dish.

  52. User avatar Loonquawl and Phouchg says:

    2 stars
    The recipe was good, but the cheese didn’t melt as expected. Disappointing.

  53. User avatar Georgine Feest says:

    2 stars
    I didn’t have pasta, so I used rice instead. It turned out kinda weird. Not my favorite.

  54. User avatar val.klocko says:

    4 stars
    Followed the recipe but forgot the cheese… oops! Still good anyway.

    1. User avatar ALTplusF4 says:

      4 stars
      No cheese? That’s a bold move! But hey, pasta and meat is still good. 😄

  55. User avatar josh.jacobs says:

    5 stars
    Yummy yum! Will definitely make again! 🙂

  56. 2 stars
    It was edible but kinda bland. I didn’t salt the meat enough and the tomato sauce tasted flat, so I’d definitely season it more next time.

    1. User avatar kassie.runte24 says:

      5 stars
      Totally get it—this one’s super easy to end up bland. I usually add salt/pepper to the beef *and* a little garlic powder or Italian seasoning to the tomato sauce before mixing. Even a pinch of sugar helps the sauce taste less “flat.”

  57. User avatar hal.olson12 says:

    3 stars
    It was okay, but a bit bland. I think it needs some spices or maybe some garlic? Just my opinion.

    1. User avatar gilberto.cole47 says:

      4 stars
      I agree! A little garlic can bring so much flavor. Maybe some Italian seasoning would be nice too!

  58. User avatar Vance Thompson says:

    2 stars
    I found it too greasy. Maybe using less beef would help. Not a fan.

  59. User avatar salvatore.goldner says:

    3 stars
    Is this really a casserole? Looks pretty basic to me. I expected more flavor.

  60. User avatar morris.wehner7 says:

    4 stars
    It’s a good recipe, but I added some bell peppers for taste.

  61. User avatar brandon.gottlieb says:

    4 stars
    I didn’t have cheddar cheese, so I used mozzarella instead. Still turned out great!

    1. User avatar kendall.hills21 says:

      5 stars
      Mozzarella sounds good too! Glad it worked out for you. That’s what cooking is all about, right? 🤗

  62. User avatar nilda.upton says:

    2 stars
    So boring. Needed more flavor. I added spices but it still taste bland.

    1. 4 stars
      I found it pretty tasty! Maybe you just need to adjust the spices more. Everyone’s palate is different, you know?

  63. User avatar neva.fay19 says:

    4 stars
    What if i use chicken instead of beef? Is it still gonna be good or no?

  64. User avatar Rob McKenna says:

    5 stars
    Yummy! This is my go-to recipe for potluck dinners.

    1. User avatar bradford.cronin says:

      5 stars
      I love how easy this recipe is! Perfect for when I’m short on time.

    2. 3 stars
      It’s ok, but I added some spices. It needed a lil more flavor.

  65. User avatar Zaphod Beeblebrox says:

    4 stars
    I followed it mostly, but I added some garlic and Italian seasoning. Still the same idea and it came out great. 30 minutes was enough for me.

  66. User avatar oren.zieme11 says:

    3 stars
    Honestly? Tastes good but I messed up the pasta—didn’t drain it enough and it came out kinda soggy. Still ate it anyway lol.

  67. User avatar The Allitnils says:

    5 stars
    Yum! I added some bell peppers and it turned out delicious! Highly recommend.

  68. User avatar Meriadoc Brandybuck says:

    5 stars
    I followed the steps exactly and it turned out great. The prep is easy and my family actually asked for seconds. 10/10 comfort food.

    1. 5 stars
      Love hearing that! This one’s definitely a comfort-food winner—seconds is the best sign. 😄

  69. User avatar alvin.walsh76 says:

    5 stars
    So delish! I added some spice and it was fire!

  70. 5 stars
    First time trying a casserole and now I’m obsessed!! Can’t wait to experiment with different sauces.

  71. User avatar sadye.stehr18 says:

    2 stars
    Meh, it was just a mix of stuff. My grandma’s lasagna is way better. 😅

  72. User avatar raelene.schoen says:

    4 stars
    Solid basic casserole, but I think 2 cups pasta might turn out a bit dry if your tomato sauce is thick. Next time I’ll add a splash of water or more sauce to be safe.

    1. User avatar alicia.jacobi26 says:

      5 stars
      Good point! My tomato sauce was pretty thick once and it did come out a little drier—adding a splash of water/sauce really helps the pasta cook up better.

  73. User avatar robbyn.krajcik50 says:

    5 stars
    OMG this is the bestest casserole ever!! I added some spices and it was lit!

    1. 5 stars
      I totally agree! This casserole is a game changer. The spices you added must’ve taken it up a notch! 🔥

    2. 3 stars
      Wait, you can add spices? I just followed the recipe…maybe I should try that next time? But how do you know which spices?

  74. User avatar danilo.schumm50 says:

    3 stars
    Tasty! But really, they could have added some garlic or something to this. Just saying.

  75. User avatar noel.fadel79 says:

    4 stars
    Easy recipe! My kids helped and they loved it. Will be a regular in our home!

  76. 5 stars
    This was a hit at my family dinner! Super easy to make and everyone loved it. Will definitely be making it again!

  77. User avatar Theodore Littel says:

    3 stars
    Took me longer than 30 mins but still tasty overall. Maybe should prep better next time.

  78. User avatar Alia Atreides says:

    5 stars
    Made this tonight and it was super comforting. The cheddar on top got all bubbly like the picture. I added a pinch of garlic powder and it really popped.

  79. 4 stars
    This is my go-to when I’m broke lol. Uses pantry stuff and feeds a crowd. I do drain the grease like it says—otherwise it gets greasy fast.

  80. User avatar clarence.hoeger says:

    4 stars
    Pretty tasty, but I think 2 cups of uncooked pasta might come out a little off unless you use a specific type. Mine was slightly firm after 30 minutes, so next time I’ll add a splash more sauce or bake longer.

  81. User avatar Lumberjack says:

    4 stars
    This is such a basic recipe but that’s why I like it. Cheap ingredients, minimal effort, big payoff for a weeknight.

  82. User avatar tori.reichert38 says:

    3 stars
    I think it needs more veggies. Like maybe peppers or mushrooms. Otherwise it’s just beef, pasta, and cheese—yummy but a little plain.

  83. User avatar vinita.donnelly0 says:

    3 stars
    Just made this for dinner today, but I forgot to add salt. Oops! Still tasted good though!

    1. 4 stars
      Glad to hear it still tasted good! A little salt would have made it even better though. But hey, no biggie!

  84. User avatar wellRespected says:

    2 stars
    350°F for only 30 minutes felt too short for uncooked pasta. My pasta wasn’t fully done until I baked longer, like closer to 45. Maybe I read the steps wrong.

  85. User avatar tomeka.rempel says:

    5 stars
    This casserole is a lifesaver! My kids loved it and asked for seconds! Definitely making it again. 😊

  86. User avatar tissues_with_issues says:

    5 stars
    Wow, so cheesy! I like it but my kids loved it. Will try again.

    1. 5 stars
      That’s awesome! Glad your kids enjoyed it. Nothing beats a cheesy dish!

  87. User avatar vincenza.kozey91 says:

    4 stars
    Simple and filling. Perfect for weeknight dinners. I added some mushrooms too!

    1. 3 stars
      Idk, casseroles can be a bit bland. Maybe try more spices next time?

    2. 5 stars
      Sounds delicious! I’ll have to try adding mushrooms next time. Thanks for the idea!

  88. User avatar nana.kihn48 says:

    5 stars
    This was such an easy recipe! My family loved it. Will definitely make again!

    1. User avatar vicenta.tillman21 says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad you loved it! It’s super easy and tasty. Definitely a family favorite!

  89. User avatar theo.wilkinson1 says:

    4 stars
    Yummm! I used turkey instead of beef and it turned out great! Thanks for sharing!

    1. User avatar Li Shenlong says:

      5 stars
      Turkey sounds like a healthier option! Glad it worked out for you! 👍

  90. User avatar evonne.abbott says:

    5 stars
    I added some bell peppers and it made a huge difference! Yum!!

  91. User avatar Thalassa says:

    2 stars
    Honestly the taste was meh. Also the instructions say cook pasta then drain, but I ended up confused about whether it should be fully cooked first. I’ll try again with clearer timing.

  92. User avatar noe.macgyver2019 says:

    3 stars
    This is more like a spaghetti dish with a twist. Not sure if I like it, might try it again though.

  93. User avatar Candace Spencer says:

    2 stars
    My casserole turned out watery. I didn’t drain the grease well enough, I guess. Still tasted fine, just looked messy.

    1. User avatar quintin.russel says:

      4 stars
      Yep, that sounds like the grease + pasta water combo. I usually drain, then I even blot the meat a bit with paper towels before mixing—helps a lot.

    2. User avatar Draugr Death Overlord says:

      5 stars
      Mine gets watery if I don’t bake it longer. 30 min is kinda short for dry pasta sometimes—try 40-45 and let it sit covered a few minutes.

  94. User avatar lizzzard says:

    1 star
    Be careful: if you cook the pasta first, it’ll get mushy. I’m not sure if mine was underbaked but it was kind of a mush situation…

  95. User avatar mary.jakubowski8 says:

    3 stars
    Okay listen… 2 cups of uncooked pasta for only 1 cup cheese seems a bit off to me. I used more cheese and it was way better.

  96. User avatar burton.wyman2012 says:

    3 stars
    Not bad, but it felt kinda bland to me. I added garlic powder and some Italian seasoning and it turned out way better. Original recipe needs a little love.

  97. User avatar Sand-Dial says:

    5 stars
    Super easy and it actually tastes like a real comfort food dinner. The cheese on top gets perfectly bubbly—definitely making this again.

  98. 2 stars
    I’m skeptical about cooking uncooked pasta separately. Wouldn’t it just not cook fully in the casserole? Mine did cook though… so maybe I just got lucky?

    1. User avatar Zaphod Beeblebrox says:

      4 stars
      I get the skepticism. Uncooked pasta can come out underdone, especially if the sauce isn’t enough to fully hydrate it. But if your casserole is saucy and baked long enough, it usually works. Yours sounds like it had the right conditions 😄

  99. User avatar Vroomfondel says:

    3 stars
    350°F for 30 minutes is maybe not enough depending on the pasta shape. I used elbow macaroni and it was perfect, but I could see someone using another pasta and ending up with crunchy bits.

  100. User avatar Frodo Baggins says:

    4 stars
    Not bad at all. My only issue is the pasta felt a tiny bit firm after 30 minutes, so next time I’ll bake a little longer or use a bit more sauce.

3.65 from 135 votes
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