There’s many versions of this bake, but this one trumps them all!

This Hamburger Casserole is a comforting and simple one-dish meal, perfect for a satisfying family dinner. It brings together seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, colorful bell peppers, and diced tomatoes, all baked under a gooey layer of melted cheddar cheese.

Hamburger Casserole

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven & Cook Macaroni: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain the macaroni and set it aside.
2. Brown Beef & Sauté Veggies: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks, until it’s fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Add the chopped onion and diced bell peppers to the skillet with the beef and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they’re tender.
3. Simmer with Tomatoes and Spices: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, diced tomatoes (with their juice), salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer together for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
4. Combine & Transfer to Dish: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until well mixed. Transfer this entire mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
5. Top with Cheese & Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
6. Cool & Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.