Hamburger casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that’s perfect for family dinners. Here’s a basic recipe for a delicious hamburger casserole:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni or any pasta of your choice
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mixture of dried herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and set it aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. When it’s mostly browned, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and the onions are soft.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning to the beef mixture. Stir well and simmer for a few minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream and mayonnaise until well combined.
- In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta on the bottom.
- Spread half of the beef and tomato mixture over the pasta.
- Spoon half of the sour cream and mayonnaise mixture over the beef layer.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, beef mixture, and sour cream mixture.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Season the top with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve your hamburger casserole with a side salad or some crusty bread for a comforting and satisfying meal. Feel free to customize the casserole by adding vegetables like peas, corn, or bell peppers, or by using different types of pasta to suit your preferences. Enjoy!