Description
Hearty Cheeseburger Casserole brings classic American comfort to dinner tables with ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots. Satisfying flavors combine in one delicious dish that promises to please family and friends around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) ground beef
Cheese:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) sharp cheddar, grated
Noodles and Tomatoes:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) wide egg noodles
- 1 can (29 ounces / 822 grams) diced tomatoes with juice
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) Lawry’s seasoning salt
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C), preparing a clean cooking surface for the casserole preparation.
- In a large skillet, thoroughly cook ground beef over medium heat, continuously breaking down meat chunks until no pink remains and the beef is evenly browned.
- Add diced tomatoes with their natural juice, Worcestershire sauce, dried oregano, Lawry’s seasoned salt, and ground black pepper to the browned meat. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce temperature and allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 15 minutes, developing rich flavor profiles.
- Simultaneously, fill a medium-sized pot halfway with water, adding of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil and carefully introduce the noodles, cooking for roughly 8 minutes until they reach a tender, al dente consistency.
- Drain the cooked noodles completely, then return them to the original pot. Pour the seasoned meat and tomato mixture over the noodles, gently stirring to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Lightly coat an 8×13 inch (20×33 centimeters) baking dish with cooking spray, then transfer the noodle and meat mixture into the prepared dish.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the top of the casserole, creating an even coverage.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and develops a light golden color.
Notes
- Sizzle ground beef thoroughly to eliminate any pink color, ensuring food safety and rich flavor.
- Choose lean ground beef to minimize excess grease and create a cleaner, healthier casserole.
- Simmer tomato mixture allows herbs and spices to develop deep, robust taste throughout the dish.
- Cook noodles al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain a perfect pasta consistency.
- Generously sprinkle cheese across the top for a golden, melty, irresistible finish that adds creamy richness.
- Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg