Deep Dish Hamburger Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Deep Dish Hamburger Casserole! Layered with savory ground beef, tender rotini pasta, and a rich tomato sauce seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs, this hearty dish is topped with a mouthwatering blend of melty mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Perfect for feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this crowd-pleasing casserole comes together in just an hour and bakes to golden, bubbly perfection. Serve it as is or garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley for a flavorful finishing touch. Ideal for weeknight dinners or potlucks, this casserole combines the nostalgia of hamburger dishes with the satisfying depth of a baked pasta bake.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 2 cups rotini pasta
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese, grated (optional for topping)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to develop flavor.

Step 6

While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 7

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and mix until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 0.5 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

Step 9

Add the remaining half of the pasta mixture on top of the cheese layer. Finish with the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top.

Step 10

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

Step 11

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

Step 12

Optional: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley over the top before serving.

Step 13

Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2092.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3789.7

Total Fat 208.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 98.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 630.4mg	0%
Sodium 6836.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 252.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.5g	0%
Total Sugars 37.2g
Protein 224.4g	0%

Vitamin D 23.8IU	0%
Calcium 3472.0mg	0%
Iron 21.9mg	0%
Potassium 2777.0mg	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: 49.5%

Protein: 23.7%

Carbs: 26.7%