Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Casserole with Crispy Onion Topping Recipe
This hamburger casserole is a comforting, cheesy, and saucy pasta dish loaded with ground beef, bell peppers, onions, and a rich creamy sauce. Featuring fusilli or cavatappi pasta that soaks up the flavorful sauce and topped with melted pepper jack cheese and crispy fried onions, this casserole is a crowd-pleaser perfect for quick weeknight dinners. It’s easy to make ahead or freeze, making it a convenient meal solution for busy families.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil, plus more for the baking dish
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for the pasta water
- 12 oz. fusilli or cavatappi pasta
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp. country Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (4-ounce) block cream cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- 8 oz. shredded pepper jack cheese (about 2 cups)
- 4 green onions, sliced, plus more for sprinkling
- 3/4 cup crispy onions
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking and prepare it for assembling the casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it for 1 minute less than the package directions indicate to ensure it remains al dente after baking. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Beef and Vegetables: In a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, chopped green bell pepper, and chopped yellow onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, for 10 to 12 minutes until the beef is browned and vegetables are starting to golden. Add the finely chopped garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce slightly reduces, about 5 minutes.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Remove the pan from heat. Whisk in the cubed cream cheese and milk until smooth. Fold in 1 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese, the sliced green onions, and the cooked pasta, mixing well to combine.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of pepper jack cheese and the crispy fried onions on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the casserole is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle with additional green onions for freshness. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting and cheesy hamburger casserole.
Notes
- Use short pasta shapes like fusilli, cavatappi, penne, rigatoni, or shells to best hold the sauce.
- If you want to freeze the casserole, cook pasta 1 minute less than usual, omit the crispy onions before freezing, and add them fresh before baking.
- To make ahead, assemble the casserole but keep it covered refrigerated, adding crispy onions only before baking.
- The meat sauce and pasta can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored separately in the refrigerator.
- For cheese substitution, use shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a mix according to your preference.
- Serve with fresh vegetable sides like Caesar salad, roasted asparagus, or baby kale salad for a balanced meal.
