Go Back
–+ servings

Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

The best Ground Beef Casserole recipe for pasta lovers! 🧀 This Cheesy Hamburger Casserole combines savory beef, onions, tomato sauce, and macaroni noodles in a gooey cheese sauce. Whether you call it Beefy Mac and Cheese, Goulash, or Cheeseburger Skillet, this dish is a staple. Great for meal prep and freezes beautifully. A hearty main dish that requires simple pantry ingredients.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces egg noodles or rotini about 4 cups dry
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 cup diced bell pepper
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar divided
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella divided
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened or ½ cup sour cream
  • Cooking spray for the baking dish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Cook pasta in salted water just until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until mostly cooked. Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Add onion and bell pepper. Cook 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
  • Stir in tomato paste for 30 seconds. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, broth, and seasonings. Simmer 3–5 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese (or sour cream) until smooth.
  • Add pasta to the baking dish. Pour the beef sauce over top. Add frozen vegetables, 1 cup cheddar, and ½ cup mozzarella. Mix well.
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake 25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Broil 1–2 minutes if you want a deeper golden top.
  • Rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For make-ahead: assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake with 10 extra minutes.
For freezing: cool completely, wrap well, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat leftovers to 165°F before serving.