Dinner

Hamburger Casserole Recipe

ByMariam Harutyunyan March 4, 2026March 4, 2026

Introduction

This Hamburger Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, and melted cheddar cheese. It’s a great weeknight meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy the whole family.

A close-up view of a cooked pasta casserole in a white bowl, showing one layer of elbow macaroni mixed with browned ground beef and pieces of cooked onion and red pepper. On the top layer, melted golden-yellow cheddar cheese is spread over the pasta and meat, sprinkled with small white sesame seeds. The texture looks creamy and slightly crispy on top with a mix of soft pasta and tender meat underneath. A metal spoon is scooping up some of the casserole from the left side. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Kosher salt
8 oz. elbow macaroni

1 lb. ground beef
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 (14-oz.) can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped dill pickles
1/4 cup ketchup

2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. yellow or Dijon mustard
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

6 oz. shredded cheddar cheese (about 1 1/2 cups), divided
2 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds (optional)
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and transfer the pasta to a 13″ x 9″ baking dish.
Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef in large chunks and cook without stirring until it develops a deep brown crust on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Break up the meat with a spatula and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until fully browned and no pink remains, about 4 more minutes. Transfer the beef to the baking dish with the pasta.
Step 3: Lower heat to medium and add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes, mayonnaise, chopped pickles, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, 1 cup water, freshly ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Pour this mixture into the baking dish.

Step 4: Add 3 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese and stir gently to combine. Sprinkle the remaining 3 ounces of cheddar evenly over the top, then add toasted sesame seeds if using.
Step 5: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with chopped romaine lettuce before serving.
Step 6: Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole without baking up to 1 day in advance. Cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake for 12 to 15 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, use sharp cheddar cheese or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack.
Add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the tomato mixture for a spicy kick.
Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of this casserole.

Toast the sesame seeds lightly in a dry pan before adding to enhance their nutty flavor.
Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 15 to 20 minutes, or microwave individual portions until hot. For longer storage, freeze the casserole before baking and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.

How to Serve

A close-up of a baked pasta dish in a white square casserole dish filled with three visible layers: a base layer of curly pasta mixed with cooked ground meat colored light brown, a middle layer of melted orange cheddar cheese spread evenly, and a top layer sprinkled with chopped green lettuce pieces and white sesame seeds. The pasta has a slightly glossy, saucy look with bits of red tomato scattered around. A silver spoon scoops some pasta from the middle, showing the mixed layers and textures. The background features a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta for this casserole?

Yes, you can substitute elbow macaroni with other short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or shells. Just adjust the cooking time to keep the pasta very al dente before baking.

Is the mayonnaise necessary in the recipe?

Mayonnaise adds creaminess and richness to the sauce, but you can substitute it with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor and lighter texture.