California Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole

Dive into comfort food with a West Coast twist with this irresistible California Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole! This hearty casserole combines tender pasta shells, savory ground beef, and a creamy, tangy sauce made from ketchup, mustard, and melted cream cheese. Baked under a bubbling layer of sharp cheddar cheese, it’s topped off with fresh diced avocado, crispy bacon crumbles, and vibrant green onions for a flavorful California-inspired finish. Perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd, this easy-to-make dish offers the indulgent flavors of a classic cheeseburger with the cozy appeal of a baked pasta casserole. Ready in under an hour and packed with family-friendly ingredients, it’s sure to be a new household favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef (85% lean)
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 12 ounces Pasta shells or elbow macaroni
• 1 cup Diced tomatoes (canned, drained)
• 0.5 cup Ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Yellow mustard
• 4 ounces Cream cheese
• 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 large Avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons Green onions, sliced
• 4 slices Cooked bacon, crumbled

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells or elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.

Step 4

Add diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the beef, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in diced tomatoes, ketchup, yellow mustard, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 6

Cut the cream cheese into small chunks and stir it into the beef mixture until fully melted and incorporated.

Step 7

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently stir to combine everything evenly.

Step 8

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, spreading it out in an even layer.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 10

Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes.

Step 11

Top the casserole with diced avocado, sliced green onions, and crumbled bacon before serving for a California-inspired twist.

Step 12

Serve warm, and enjoy your California Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1883.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4094.5

Total Fat 229.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 109.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 697.7mg	0%
Sodium 6417.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 342.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.2g	0%
Total Sugars 48.2g
Protein 203.4g	0%

Vitamin D 28.1IU	0%
Calcium 1962.8mg	0%
Iron 17.3mg	0%
Potassium 3897.8mg	0%

*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: 48.6%

Protein: 19.2%

Carbs: 32.2%