Granny's Hamburger Casserole

Transport your taste buds back to the comfort of Grandma's kitchen with Granny's Hamburger Casserole—a hearty, nostalgic dish that's perfect for family dinners or potluck gatherings. This classic casserole layers savory ground beef simmered with aromatic onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning, combined with tender elbow macaroni in a rich tomato sauce. Topped with a melty blanket of cheddar and mozzarella cheese, it bakes to bubbly, golden perfection for a meal packed with homey flavors. Ready in just under an hour and serving six, this easy hamburger casserole is an ideal weeknight dinner that’s sure to satisfy. Perfect comfort food keywords include “easy casserole recipe,” “ground beef casserole,” and “family-friendly dinner idea.”

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cups elbow macaroni pasta
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 quarts water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Heat a large skillet over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.

Step 5

Stir in the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Then add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and sugar. Mix well and let simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.

Step 6

While the beef mixture simmers, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt and cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 7

Mix the cooked elbow macaroni into the beef and tomato mixture, stirring until well combined.

Step 8

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spoon half of the pasta mixture into the dish and spread it evenly.

Step 9

Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese over the pasta layer.

Step 10

Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

Step 11

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

Step 12

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

Step 13

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5760.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3474.5

Total Fat 196.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 97.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 643.6mg	0%
Sodium 5099.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 240.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.0g	0%
Total Sugars 41.7g
Protein 201.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2922.9mg	0%
Iron 17.2mg	0%
Potassium 3577.4mg	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: 50.0%

Protein: 22.8%

Carbs: 27.2%