Name: Cheesy Hamburger Casserole for the Win – Hamburger Meat Recipes You’ll Love
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 cups marinara sauce; 2 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni or penne work great); 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; Nonstick spray or butter for greasing the dish

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Some nights, you just need something hearty and cheesy that doesn’t make you question your life choices. That’s where this cheesy hamburger casserole walks in like it owns the place. I’m talking layers of savory hamburger meat, melty cheese, and pasta that somehow always disappears faster than it should. I first whipped this up after a long Tuesday that felt like a Thursday. I had ground beef, half a block of cheddar, and exactly zero patience for fancy steps. What came out of the oven that night was a golden, bubbly miracle. This is one of those hamburger meat recipes you’ll come back to when you want comfort without the chaos. Whether you’re into hamburgers recipes, hamburger steak recipes, or hunting for new recipes using hamburger, this one checks the boxes. It’s cozy, low-carb-ish if you squint, and makes you feel like you’ve got it together. Even if dinner started with a desperate fridge stare.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole Recipe
3) Ingredients for Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
4) How to Make Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
5) Tips for Making Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
6) Making Cheesy Hamburger Casserole Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
8) Try these Main Course recipes next!
9) Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This casserole uses hamburger meat, pasta, marinara, and two cheeses for a bold, baked dinner hit.
Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something cozy, familiar, and filling without fuss.
You can swap ingredients easily to fit what you’ve got in the fridge.
The cheesy top crisps up beautifully in the oven, making each bite better than the last.

2) Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole Recipe

I’ve made dozens of hamburger meat recipes over the years, but this one? It sticks. It’s that kind of recipe that doesn’t ask for much but gives you everything. The kind of meal you crave on a Tuesday night when the couch is calling and your motivation is missing. This casserole brings together seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and soft pasta baked until golden. It hits that spot between homemade comfort and low-effort reward.

We all have a few recipes using hamburger that feel like a little miracle in a baking dish. This is mine. I threw it together once with whatever I had left in the fridge and pantry, and now I find myself making excuses just to pick up more ground beef. It’s not trying to be elegant. It’s just good. Really good. And that’s what counts.

If you’re into low carb hamburger meat recipes, you can even skip the pasta and layer this over zucchini slices or cauliflower rice. Either way, you’re going to want a second helping. Maybe even a third, no judgment here.

3) Ingredients for Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

Ground Beef: Use one pound of lean ground beef. It gives the dish rich flavor and makes a solid base for our casserole. Drain the grease to keep it from turning oily.

Onion: One small onion, diced. This brings in sweetness and depth that makes the beef taste more rounded. It’s subtle but necessary.

Garlic: Two cloves, minced. Garlic makes almost everything better, and here, it adds a sharp, warm bite that lifts the whole casserole.

Italian Seasoning: One teaspoon. This blend of herbs keeps the sauce from falling flat. It’s like background music—quiet but makes the whole thing work.

Salt and Pepper: Season as needed. Start small and adjust after the sauce simmers. Taste buds differ, right?

Marinara Sauce: Two cups. Grab your favorite jar or use homemade. Either way, the sauce ties everything together and keeps it moist in the oven.

Pasta: Two cups, cooked. Elbows or penne both work. Just don’t overcook it—nobody wants mush.

Cheddar Cheese: One and a half cups, shredded. The sharpness of cheddar balances the richness of the beef. It melts fast and browns well.

Mozzarella Cheese: One cup, shredded. This gives you that iconic cheesy pull when you dig in. It also softens the flavor of the cheddar.

Nonstick Spray or Butter: You’ll need a bit to grease the dish. It keeps things from sticking and makes cleanup easier.

4) How to Make Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

Step 1. Set your oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray or use a pat of butter.

Step 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with diced onion and garlic. Stir occasionally so nothing sticks. Cook until the onion turns soft and the beef loses its pink color.

Step 3. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Pour in the marinara sauce. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to bring out the flavor.

Step 4. Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet. Stir gently until everything is well coated and evenly mixed. Take the skillet off the heat.

Step 5. Pour half the beef and pasta mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the cheddar and mozzarella over it.

Step 6. Add the rest of the beef mixture on top. Finish it with the remaining cheese, spreading it evenly across the top.

Step 7. Slide the dish into the oven. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese bubbles and turns golden at the edges.

Step 8. Let it cool for 5 minutes. It’ll be easier to serve and way less likely to burn your mouth (yes, I’ve done that).

5) Tips for Making Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

Don’t skip the simmer. Letting the sauce simmer with the meat and seasoning adds depth. You’re building flavor here, not just heating things up.

Use freshly shredded cheese. It melts better than pre-shredded cheese, which often comes coated with anti-caking stuff that keeps it from getting that perfect gooey texture.

Want to switch it up? Swap the pasta for a veggie alternative or use different cheeses like Monterey Jack or provolone. This recipe’s flexible. It’s one of the reasons hamburger meat recipes like this stay in the rotation week after week.

6) Making Cheesy Hamburger Casserole Ahead of Time

This casserole holds up well if you prep it in advance. Make the whole thing up to the point where it goes in the oven. Then cover it and stash it in the fridge. When you’re ready, bake it as usual. You might need to add 5 extra minutes since it’ll be cold.

Batch cooking works, too. Double the recipe and freeze half for another night. Assemble it in a freezer-safe dish and wrap it well. It’ll keep for up to three months. Just thaw it overnight before baking.

Meals like this make the end of a long day feel manageable. They taste like comfort and give you back time. And isn’t that the dream?

7) Storing Leftover Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

Got leftovers? Lucky you. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to four days. Just cover the baking dish with foil or transfer the casserole into an airtight container.

To reheat, use the microwave or warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Add a splash of marinara if it seems dry. It freshens everything up.

It reheats well, so don’t worry. In fact, the flavors might even deepen overnight, kind of like chili or lasagna. This casserole proves why simple hamburger steak recipes stick around in family kitchens.

8) Try these Main Course recipes next!

9) Cheesy Hamburger Casserole