Hamburger Macaroni Casserole

If you’re looking for a hearty dish that can feed a crowd, hamburger macaroni casserole is a great bet. It’s two layers; a bottom layer of creamy macaroni with a beefy tomato layer on top. It’s all crowned with a layer of grated cheddar cheese and baked until bubbly. The simple, comforting flavors will appeal even to picky eaters, and for being a substantial dish,  it is easy to throw together. In fact, it takes just 20 minutes to prep and 25 minutes in the oven to bake, which makes it a great option for a busy weeknight or a last-minute family dinner. The best part? It’s a complete meal on its own, which includes a protein, vegetable, and starch, so there’s no need to whip up extra side dishes.

Ingredients for Hamburger Macaroni Casserole 

• Elbow macaroni: Small and quick-cooking, elbow macaroni creates an even layer as the base for this casserole. Because it’s a pasta shape that’s easy to shovel onto a spoon it helps make this a great meal for serving to kids, too.
• Ground beef: Ground beef adds hearty richness to this dish. Be sure to cook it thoroughly (you shouldn’t see any pink remaining) and drain off any excess fat before adding in the tomato sauce.
• Onion: When sautéed with the beef until they’re translucent, onion adds sweetness and depth to this simple dish.
• Tomato sauce: Store-bought, jarred tomato sauce is a welcome shortcut in this macaroni casserole recipe. It add moisture and sweet, acidic tomato flavor to the beefy layer of the casserole.
• Egg: Whisked eggs combined with the soup, milk, butter and parsley, help binding the pasta layer of this casserole together.
• Condensed cream of chicken soup: Creamy and savory, condensed cream of chicken soup is a shortcut sauce for this dish and many of our other favorite casseroles. It’s easy to find in your grocery store and can sit in the pantry, so it’s a great ingredient to keep on hand for recipes like this one.
• Milk: A bit of milk is essential in adding richness and depth to this dish. If you don’t have 2%, you can absolutely substitute whole milk instead.
• Butter: The melted butter adds savory flavor and richness to the macaroni. Be sure to melt it before mixing it with the other ingredients as that helps it incorporate more evenly into the dish.
• Fresh parsley: Bright, earthy and slightly peppery, fresh parsley is a great way to offset the richness of this dish. It adds vegetal and herbal flavor along with bright pops of green.
• Cheddar cheese: A layer of tangy, savory and melty cheddar cheese is the finishing topping for this hamburger macaroni casserole recipe.

Directions 

Step 1: Cook macaroni and beef

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Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink, then drain. Stir in the tomato sauce and heat through.

Step 2: Assemble the casserole

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Drain the macaroni, then transfer to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the egg, soup, milk, butter and parsley; pour over the macaroni. Spoon the beef mixture over the top; sprinkle with cheese.

Step 3: Bake until bubbly

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Bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving.

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Hamburger Macaroni Casserole Variations

• Add jalapeños: This dish is really hearty and rich, so adding a bit of heat is a great way to infuse some bright flavor. If you like spicy peppers, try chopping up jalapeños and adding them in with the meat and onion in step one. Sautéeing the peppers with the beef will help the spicy flavor combine more consistently with the mixture.
• Make it vegetarian: If you’re making this dish for a gathering and know you’ll be feeding some non-meat-eaters, try swapping out the beef for finely chopped mushrooms or a plant-based ground meat alternative.

How to Store Hamburger Macaroni Casserole

Once the dish is completely cooled, portion any leftovers out into airtight containers. Affix the lids and transfer to the refrigerator for up to four days. Alternatively, you can put the whole thing in the refrigerator to store. Be sure to cover it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

Can you freeze hamburger macaroni casserole?

You can absolutely freeze hamburger macaroni casserole. If you know in advance that you’ll be freezing this dish, try cooking the macaroni to a bit more al dente. Since you’ll be cooking the pasta twice (once the first time and again when you reheat it) this will ensure that the dish doesn’t get too mushy or soggy. To freeze it, simply let the dish cool to room temperature, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Pop it in the freezer and store it for up to six months.

Hamburger Macaroni Casserole Tips

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What other pasta shapes would work here?

Any short pasta shapes are great for this dish. Medium shells, fusilli, farfalle, pinwheels or even penne would work nicely here. Shorter pasta makes this dish easier to scoop onto a plate and eat with a fork or spoon, without the need to twirl or cut it.

Can you add vegetables to this to bulk it up?

You can absolutely add vegetables to this dish to make it more of a complete meal. Mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, peas or even bell peppers are all a great choice here. Whatever you choose to add, just be sure to sauté the vegetables before adding them to the casserole as the bake time might not be sufficient to soften them.

What can I serve with this hamburger macaroni casserole recipe?

This recipe is really a complete meal on its own, so you don’t need to serve it with much. If you’d like to add some more vegetables to your meal, try serving it with a light side salad or a side of sautéed broccoli.