Simple Hamburger Helper Casserole (Just 4 Ingredients)

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This 4-ingredient hamburger helper casserole is bound to be a family favorite.  Even the picky eaters will want to eat it!  You’ll love the simple ingredients and the quick cook time.  Add this easy meal into your weekly rotation during those busy weeknights!

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Easy Hamburger Casserole Recipe

There are many 4-ingredient hamburger casserole recipes out there that call for cans of tomato soup.  I opted not to use condensed tomato soup in this recipe because it contains high fructose corn syrup.  It’s great to use if you’re in a pinch and low on ingredients, but I try to avoid it if I can.

This recipe uses tomato sauce and some spices instead to mimic the flavors of hamburger helper casserole.  You’ll love that it doesn’t take much time to make and it’s easy on the wallet!

Ingredients

This recipe calls for 4 simple ingredients, plus some water and seasonings.  You most likely will have everything you need on hand to make this cheeseburger casserole!

• 1lb lean ground beef 
• 2 cups cheese (shredded) – I use cheddar cheese & mozzarella cheese, but you can use any of your favorite cheeses
• 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)
• 8oz macaroni noodles – or you can use any type of noodles you have on hand
• ½ cup water

Seasonings:

• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• 1-1.5 Tablespoons sugar (white or raw)
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Cooking Instructions

This great recipe takes just a little time. It can be made in under 30 minutes.  If you use an oven-safe pan to cook in, it can also be a quick clean up!

1. Preheat Oven & Start Noodles

To begin this recipe, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Then, you’ll want to boil your noodles based on the package directions.

For best results, boil your noodles until they’re al dente because you’re going to continue to cook them later as you bake this cheesy hamburger casserole.

2. Brown Beef

As the noodles cook, you can start browning the hamburger meat over medium heat.  Add one pound of ground beef to a large skillet (I like to use my cast iron skillet) & start to ground it.

After it is browned and ground up, make sure to drain any excess grease.

3. Mix Ingredients

After you browned the beef, it’s time to mix all the ingredients.  Add the cooked noodles, half of the cheese, & the rest of the ingredients to the skillet with the browned beef.

Give everything a good stir.

4. Bake Dish

Once everything is mixed, you will need to bake your beef casserole.  If your skillet is not oven-safe, then you can transfer all of the ingredients to a prepared baking dish.  For easiest clean up, spray your baking dish with cooking spray or line with aluminum foil.

Top your casserole with the rest of the cheese.  Then, bake it in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until everything is nice and melted.

5. Serve & Enjoy

The end result will be a delicious, cheesy hamburger casserole.  

Test the casserole when it’s finished baking to see if you want to add any more salt or pepper.  Then, serve it while it’s hot and enjoy!

Tips

• You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken if you don’t like beef.
• Use any types of cheese you prefer.  I like cheddar & mozzarella because I usually always have it on hand.
• This makes a large portion, so store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat later for delicious leftovers the next day.
• If you don’t have a lot of time, you can skip baking and just mix everything together and continue heating over the medium heat.
• Add cayenne or red pepper flakes for a nice kick!
• Use any noodles you have on hand – medium egg noodles is a great substitute
• To really simplify this recipe, use a pre-made meat sauce in place of the ground beef & tomato sauce.

How To Spice It Up

If you have extra time on your hands and want to make a more fancy ground beef casserole recipe, you might want to use some of these ingredients:

• A dash of Worcestershire sauce
• Use a box of medium pasta shells for a “shells & cheese” look
• Add 4oz of cream cheese for extra creaminess
• Add taco seasoning for a fun twist!  Serve with a dollop of sour cream.
• Use beef broth in place of the water for extra flavor
• Mix in some cream of mushroom soup for a creamy flavor

What To Serve It With

This hamburger helper is a hearty meal that goes great on it’s own.  If you want some variety, you can serve it with a green vegetable as a side.  Green beans or a side salad go great with this dish.

You could also serve it with a side of bread to soak up any leftover cheesy sauce.

Conclusion

Skip the boxed hamburger helper and make your own at home.  It is a simple meal with whole ingredients that your whole family will love.  This easy dinner casserole is bound to be a new favorite in your house.  

It is a great, inexpensive pasta casserole to add into your weekly rotation.  It’s bound to be your new favorite recipe!

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