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The Ultimate Quick & Easy Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole (Under 40 Minutes)

A close-up serving of rich cheeseburger casserole featuring elbow macaroni, ground beef, and melted cheddar cheese.
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This one-pot cheeseburger casserole brings all the flavor of your favorite burger into a simple, cheesy pasta bake. It is a family-friendly weeknight dinner that comes together fast with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots mix (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook for one minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the ketchup and mustard to the beef mixture and stir to combine.
  5. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni, beef broth, water, and milk to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  6. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is nearly tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  7. If using, stir in the frozen peas and carrots mix during the last 3 minutes of simmering.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
  9. Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese.
  10. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
  11. Let the cheeseburger casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a tangier sauce that mimics a secret burger sauce, add 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of sweet pickle relish when you add the ketchup and mustard.
  • If you prefer a crispier topping, sprinkle 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tablespoon of melted butter over the cheese before the final 15 minutes of baking.
  • This recipe works well as a dump and bake dinner if you cook the pasta separately. If you cook the pasta separately, combine all ingredients (cooked pasta, browned beef, broth, milk, seasonings) in the baking dish and top with cheese before baking for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/cheeseburger-casserole-easy-dinner-recipes/