Description
A hearty and flavorful Hamburger Casserole made with pasta, ground beef, vegetables, and a creamy cheese sauce, topped with crispy onions.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for the baking dish
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for the pasta
- 12 ounces fusilli or cavatappi pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon country Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (4-ounce) block cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup milk
- 8 ounces shredded pepper jack cheese (about 2 cups)
- 2 green onions, sliced, plus more for sprinkling
- ¾ cup crispy onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta for 1 minute less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef, bell pepper, and onion and cook, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until the beef browns and the vegetables start to turn golden, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Add the garlic, paprika, black pepper, and 1 ½ teaspoons salt and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the beef broth, tomato sauce, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the cream cheese and milk.
- Fold in 1 cup of the pepper jack cheese, and then the green onions and pasta.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup pepper jack cheese and the crispy onions.
- Bake until golden and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Sprinkle with more green onions and serve.
Notes
- For a spicier casserole, use a spicier cheese like Monterey Jack with jalapenos.
- If you don’t have fusilli or cavatappi, other short pasta shapes like rotini or penne will also work.
- Ensure the pasta is cooked one minute less than package directions, as it will finish cooking in the oven.