Description
A hearty and creamy one-pot cheeseburger casserole combining seasoned ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a blend of cheeses, all simmered together and finished with a golden broiled cheese topping. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef (93% lean)
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (divided)
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Liquids and Sauces
- 4 cups beef broth
- 10 ounces petite diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon – Beef
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
Pasta
- 2 cups dried elbow macaroni
Cheeses
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ packet (4 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
Instructions
- Cook the beef and aromatics: In an oven-safe deep skillet or pot, combine the ground beef, chopped yellow onion, dried parsley, ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook and stir over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink.
- Add the liquids and pasta: Stir in the beef broth, dried elbow macaroni, drained petite diced tomatoes with green chiles, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and Better Than Bouillon. Mix everything together well.
- Simmer until pasta is al dente: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium to maintain a simmer. Cook uncovered for about 9 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the macaroni from sticking to the bottom, until the pasta is cooked al dente.
- Add cheeses and creaminess: Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and whole milk. Mix thoroughly and continue to stir for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Top with remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and ½ cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole surface.
- Broil until golden: Place the skillet or pot in the oven and broil for 2 to 4 minutes, watching carefully until the cheese on top is melted and golden brown.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet or pot to easily transfer from stovetop to oven for broiling.
- Stir the pasta occasionally while simmering to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Keep an eye on the broiler to avoid burning the cheese topping; broil time may vary depending on your oven.
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes or add hot sauce to taste.
- This casserole can be customized with different cheese blends or added vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
