Description
This Cheeseburger Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines lean ground beef, tangy pickles, and melted cheddar cheese with perfectly cooked rotini pasta. It’s an easy, family-friendly meal baked to golden perfection, reminiscent of the classic cheeseburger flavors in a convenient casserole form.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups (6 oz) uncooked rotini pasta (use brown rice pasta for gluten-free)
Beef Mixture
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups onions, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 lb lean ground beef (95% lean)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 28 oz diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
Topping
- 2 cups reduced-fat grated cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped dill pickles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 9 x 13 inch baking dish by spraying it lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the finely chopped onions and cook until they become soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, releasing its aroma.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Add Tomato and Mustard: Stir in the tomato paste, mixing well. Then add the diced tomatoes and Dijon mustard. Allow the mixture to gently bubble and reduce slightly, thickening the sauce for about 2 minutes.
- Combine with Pasta: Toss the beef and tomato mixture with the drained rotini pasta until evenly combined. Transfer this mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the grated reduced-fat cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, approximately 15 minutes.
- Add Pickles and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the chopped dill pickles over the top for a tangy finish. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute rotini pasta with brown rice pasta.
- Use lean ground beef (95% lean) to reduce fat content while maintaining flavor.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta to keep it al dente as it will bake further in the oven.
- Chopped dill pickles add classic cheeseburger tang, but you can omit if preferred.
- This casserole can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/9 of casserole)
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
