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Grandma's Hamburger Casserole Recipe

Grandma's Hamburger Casserole

This comforting, old-fashioned hamburger casserole features layers of savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce all topped with melted cheese. It's a nostalgic family favorite, perfect for a hearty and satisfying dinner.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 persons
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 400 g canned diced tomatoes
  • 350 g dry elbow macaroni
  • 240 ml tomato sauce
  • 120 ml sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 240 g shredded cheddar cheese
  • 15 ml olive oil
  • 15 g butter

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 large pot
  • 1 9x13 inch baking dish
  • 1 colander
  • 1 cheese grater

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente (about 7 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 6 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
  6. Remove from the heat and mix in the sour cream. Add the cooked macaroni and half of the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring to combine.
  7. Transfer the mixture into the greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Smooth out the top, then sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese.
  8. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, add 1/2 cup of chopped bell pepper during the onion step.
You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for beef.
Garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh touch.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated.