Description
This hearty Hamburger Casserole is a comforting and flavorful one-dish meal combining tender rotini pasta, sautéed vegetables, seasoned ground beef, and rich tomato sauce, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it bakes to a cheesy, bubbly perfection in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 16 ounces rotini pasta (or other short pasta shape)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 large carrots, chopped into ¼-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
Topping
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (2 cups, divided)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish; set it aside while preparing the other ingredients.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander, rinse briefly with water, drain thoroughly, and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the carrots are tender, approximately 8 minutes.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Push the sautéed vegetables to the sides of the skillet, creating space in the center. Add the ground beef to the cleared center and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the beef, crumbling it with a spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook and stir the mixture for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Incorporate Tomato Sauce and Tomatoes: Pour in the tomato sauce and canned diced tomatoes, mixing well with the beef and vegetables.
- Combine with Cheese and Pasta: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in one-third of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and incorporated, then gently fold in the cooked pasta until evenly combined.
- Transfer to Baking Dish and Add Topping: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown on top.
Notes
- Use other types of short pasta like penne or shells if rotini is unavailable.
- For a spicier casserole, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the seasonings.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- To reduce fat, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
