Description
Craving something cheesy, hearty, and full of bold flavor? This Easy Cheeseburger Pasta Dinner Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that brings the best of both worlds—cheeseburgers and pasta—into one bubbling, irresistible dish. It’s a quick dinner idea that’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or potlucks. With tender pasta shells, savory ground beef, a tangy tomato-based sauce, and plenty of gooey melted cheese, this easy recipe is sure to earn a permanent spot on your list of dinner ideas. A must-try if you’re looking for quick, satisfying food ideas for the whole family.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups uncooked pasta shells
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Non-stick cooking spray or butter
Fresh parsley or chopped pickles (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
3. Add diced onion to the beef and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
4. Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to combine well with the meat sauce.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
7. Layer half of the pasta mixture into the dish. Sprinkle with half the cheddar and mozzarella. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheese.
8. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
9. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or pickles if desired.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor—pre-shredded blends often don’t melt as smoothly.
Customize by adding cooked bacon, mushrooms, or pickles for an authentic cheeseburger twist.
Letting the casserole rest before slicing helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 730mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: cheeseburger pasta, pasta casserole, ground beef dinner, quick dinner, easy recipe, family meal