Description
Looking for the ultimate comfort food that’s quick, satisfying, and family-approved? This Cheeseburger Pasta Dinner Casserole blends everything you love about a juicy cheeseburger—beef, cheese, and tangy condiments—with the heartiness of baked pasta. It’s a perfect easy dinner idea for busy weeknights, potlucks, or cozy family meals. This cheesy pasta bake is packed with flavor, incredibly filling, and simple to prepare, making it one of the best comfort food dinner ideas you can add to your recipe collection.
Ingredients
12 oz shell pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 medium yellow onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
15 oz tomato sauce
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp yellow mustard
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook shell pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente then drain.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and brown the ground beef breaking it apart while cooking.
4. Drain excess fat from the beef then add diced onion and cook until softened.
5. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper then simmer for 5–7 minutes.
7. Mix the cooked pasta into the beef sauce and stir until evenly coated.
8. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
9. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
10. Bake for 15–20 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly and lightly golden.
11. Allow casserole to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Slightly undercook the pasta before baking so it stays firm after the casserole cooks in the oven.
Freshly shredded cheese melts smoother and gives a better flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
Let the casserole rest for several minutes after baking so it sets and slices more easily.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: cheeseburger pasta, pasta casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, pasta bake, family dinner recipe