What’s the difference between hamburger casserole and goulash?

While both dishes are hearty and use ground beef, classic goulash is a soup or stew, often with a beefy, paprika-heavy broth, while a hamburger casserole is a baked pasta dish held together with a creamy, cheesy sauce.

Can I make this hamburger casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole up to one day in advance. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through.

What are some good toppings for hamburger casserole?

In addition to the crispy onions mentioned in the recipe, you can top your hamburger casserole with fresh parsley, a dollop of sour cream, or even some extra shredded cheese right before serving.

What's good to mix with hamburger meat?

To enhance the flavor of ground beef, I love mixing in aromatics like chopped onion and garlic, herbs like parsley or oregano, and a binder like breadcrumbs or an egg. You can also add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a little seasoning blend, as I did in this recipe.

The Best One-Pan Hamburger Casserole

Description

This Hamburger Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and hearty weeknight dinner that comes together in a single pan for easy cleanup. It’s a family-favorite comfort food that’s perfect for busy evenings.

Ingredients

Scale

1 Tbsp. olive oil, plus more for the baking dish

1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for the pasta

12 oz. fusilli or cavatappi pasta

1 lb. ground beef

1 yellow onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tsp. smoked paprika

1/2 tsp. black pepper

2 cups beef broth

1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

1 Tbsp. country dijon mustard

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 (4-ounce) block cream cheese, cubed

1/2 cup milk

8 oz. shredded pepper jack cheese (about 2 cups)

4 green onions, sliced, plus more for sprinkling

3/4 cup crispy onions

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with the 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 the oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef 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, pepper, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the beef broth, tomato sauce, 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 fried onions, and bake until golden and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with more green onions and serve.

Notes

For a different flavor, you can substitute the pepper jack cheese with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Colby-Jack blend.

This recipe can be made ahead of time. Just assemble it in the baking dish, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8th of casserole
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 850 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 25 g
Cholesterol: 80 mg

Keywords: hamburger casserole, ground beef, weeknight dinner, comfort food, pasta bake, family dinner, easy casserole, cheesy casserole, one-pan meal