Hamburger and Macaroni Casserole
This creamy Hamburger and Macaroni Casserole is packed with 3 types of cheeses. With just 10 minutes of hands-on prep time, this easy ground beef pasta bake is perfect for busy weeknights.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 564kcal
Ingredients
Ground beef mixture
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 3 green onions sliced, reserve some as garnish
- 2 garlic cloves minced
Cheese sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese full-fat
- 2 cups milk
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black ground pepper
Other ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni dry
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese grated
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (180C).
- In a medium pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, salt, and ground black pepper. Start breaking up the ground beef while browning it slightly for 1-2 minutes.1 tbsp olive oil, 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- Reserve some sliced green onions as a garnish for later. Add the remaining green onion slices and the garlic to the seasoned ground beef. Cook for 1-2 minutes until softened and fragrant while stirring. Remove the pan from the heat. The beef doesn't have to be fully cooked at this stage.3 green onions, 2 garlic cloves
- To make the sauce, add everything to a blender and blend it until smooth. Add the sauce on top and gently stir everything until thoroughly combined.1 cup cottage cheese, 2 cups milk, 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp black ground pepper
- Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Add the ground beef mixture as a layer on top.2 cups elbow macaroni, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
- Pour over the cheese sauce and sprinkle over the mozzarella cheese on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. The macaroni should just about al dente, keeping in mind that the casserole continues to cook once it has been removed from the oven.
- Remove the hamburger macaroni casserole from the oven and let it set for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish it with the remaining green onions or fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Beef: Undercook the ground beef initially so it doesn't become dry and rubbery during the oven baking.
Cover: If the casserole is getting too dark during baking, cover it with foil.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can freeze it for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Nutrition
Calories: 564kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 871mg | Potassium: 512mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 434IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 379mg | Iron: 2mg
