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Easy Cheeseburger Pasta Dinner Casserole

Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole

This Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole is a fast, affordable, and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights. It combines ground beef, pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce, all topped with melted cheddar cheese for a comforting dish that tastes just like a classic cheeseburger. It's a simple, one-dish masterpiece that brings the whole family to the table.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 7 servings
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 (16-ounce) box small pasta shells
  • 2 (10.5-ounce) cans condensed tomato soup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
  • Seasoning to taste (I use a simple mix of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder)

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • spoon
  • Foil

Method
 

Instructions
  1. First things first, preheat your oven to 375° F and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Get your pasta cooking according to the package directions. You want it just al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Once it's done, drain the water and set the pasta aside.
  3. While the pasta is boiling, brown the ground beef in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Use a spoon to break it apart as it cooks. Once it’s no longer pink, drain off the excess grease. This is a key step for making sure your casserole isn't oily! Season the meat generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  4. Now, add the cooked pasta, both cans of tomato soup, the 1/2 cup of water, and HALF of the shredded cheese (that’s 1.5 cups) to the skillet with the beef. Stir everything together until it's well combined. This is a good moment to do a quick taste test and see if it needs a little more seasoning.
  5. Carefully spread the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining half of the shredded cheese all over the top.
  6. Cover the dish with foil and bake on the center rack for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and just starting to get golden brown spots.

Notes

For the best results, cook the pasta al dente and season the beef generously. Shredding your own cheese will provide a creamier melt. This casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated before baking. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.