“CRAZY good! The entire family cleaned up their plates and returned for more!”
This classic Hamburger Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish that combines ground beef, pasta shells, tomato soup, and melted cheese. It’s a perfect family-friendly meal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Medium pasta shells | 1 (1 lb) box |
| Ground beef | 1 lb |
| Tomato soup | 2 (10 oz) cans |
| Shredded cheddar cheese | 2 cups |
| Shredded mozzarella cheese | 1 cup |
| Water | 1/2 cup |
| Garlic powder | To taste |
| Salt | To taste |
| Pepper | To taste |
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta shells according to the package directions. Drain the cooked pasta and set it aside.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble the ground beef. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper (or any seasoning of your choice) to taste.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked pasta shells, tomato soup, and 1/2 cup of water to the skillet with the browned ground beef. Stir well.
- Add half the cheese: Add half of the shredded cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese to the skillet. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, until the cheese is partially melted.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour the mixture into the greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top with remaining cheese: Top the casserole with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese and the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and finish baking: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Broil (optional): For a browned cheese topping, turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve the Hamburger Casserole immediately. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
