Tomato Hamburger Casserole

Warm, hearty, and irresistibly cheesy, this Tomato Hamburger Casserole is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. Combining tender elbow macaroni with savory ground beef, fragrant garlic, and a rich tomato sauce base, this easy casserole layers comforting flavors in every bite. Topped with a generous blanket of melted cheddar cheese, it bakes to golden, bubbly perfection in just 30 minutes. With Italian seasoning and a hint of fresh parsley for garnish, this dish balances classic flavors with a touch of freshness. Whether you're looking for a comforting one-pan meal or an easy make-ahead dish, this recipe is sure to deliver satisfaction with minimal effort. Perfect for leftovers, too—if there’s any left to save!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook for 2 minutes less than the package directions (it will continue cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking the meat into small pieces with a spoon, about 6-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 6

Add the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the beef mixture. Stir to combine and simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the beef and tomato mixture. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray. Pour the pasta and beef mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 9

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 10

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 12

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 13

Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh touch before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2557.2 grams (2557.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2889

Total Fat 168.60g	216%
Saturated Fat 74.00g	370%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.80g
Cholesterol 511mg	170%
Sodium 3422mg	149%
Total Carbohydrate 193.70g	70%
Dietary Fiber 19.00g	68%
Total Sugars 28.40g
Protein 154.30g	309%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1506mg	116%
Iron 19mg	103%
Potassium 2083mg	44%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.2%

Protein: 21.2%

Carbs: 26.6%