Cheeseburger Casserole (Homemade Hamburger Helper)
A comforting, one-pot dish that combines the classic flavors of a cheeseburger with a creamy, cheesy casserole, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 small carrot, chopped (optional) Optional for added sweetness
- 1 celery stalk, chopped (optional) Optional for added flavor
- 500 g ground beef, preferably lean
- 340 g dried macaroni, uncooked
- ½ cup frozen corn (optional) Optional for added texture
- 2 cups chicken broth/stock, low sodium
- 1 tbsp hot sauce or Sriracha sauce Adjust to taste
- 1 tsp American chili powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder Can substitute with onion powder
- 800 g crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1.5-2 cups cheddar or tasty cheese, shredded Adjust for cheesiness
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, for topping
- 1 green onion, sliced For garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking for 1 minute.
- Add celery and carrot, cooking for another 3 minutes until soft.
- Increase heat to high and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up as you go, until it is no longer pink, about 3 minutes.
Cooking
- Add all remaining ingredients except for the cheese. Stir to combine, then add the macaroni.
- Reduce heat to medium or medium-low and let it simmer gently.
- Cover and cook for 8 minutes. The pasta should be just about cooked and still have a nice saucy texture.
- Stir in the cheddar cheese. Top the dish with mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with the lid and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Remove from stove. The pasta should now be tender but firm, coated in sauce, not dried out.
- Serve immediately, garnished with green onions if desired.
Notes
For a richer flavor, consider using a combination of ground beef and ground sausage, or add more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. For extra spice, increase the hot sauce or add jalapeños. You can also use different types of cheese for variation.