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Hamburger Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb box medium shells
• 1 lb ground beef
• 21.5 oz tomato soup (2 cans)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Initiate the Oven Warm-Up Let's get started by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C). It's like warming up before exercise; you want it ready to go when you are. Meanwhile, grab a 9x13-inch baking dish and give it a good coating with non-stick spray or a bit of butter, whichever you fancy.

2. Step 2: Cook the Pasta to Perfection Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and toss in that entire box of medium shells. Cook them according to the package instructions until they're just right - not too hard, not too soft. Drain them well and leave them in the colander for now.

3. Step 3: Brown the Beef While the noodles are getting their spa treatment, grab a skillet and cook the ground beef over medium heat until it loses that pink hue. Sprinkle in the salt and pepper while the beef sizzles, infusing it with flavor. Once cooked, remove from heat and set aside for a moment.

4. Step 4: Layer the Pasta With your pasta drained and oven-ready dish prepped, spread the shells evenly across the bottom of your greased dish. Think of it as creating a cozy bed for the rest of the ingredients.

5. Step 5: Combine Beef and Sauce Now, it's time to bring everything together. Mix the browned beef with the tomato soup in a large bowl. If you're feeling like you want a little more sauce, add about half a cup of water to make it saucy. Pour this savory blend over the noodles and give it a gentle stir to ensure every shell is coated.

6. Step 6: Add the Cheesy Blanket Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top of your casserole, creating a beautiful layer of melty goodness. Cover the dish with aluminum foil, making sure to seal the edges well – this keeps all that cheesy moisture locked in during baking.

7. Step 7: Bake and Melt Pop the covered dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 20 minutes. This is where all the flavors mingle and marry.

8. Step 8: Remove the Foil After 20 minutes, carefully take off the foil. Be cautious of the steam – it’s quite hot! Let it bake for another 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to turn golden and bubbly on top.

9. Step 9: Optional Broiling Finish If you're a fan of a crispy cheese finish, switch to the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on it so it doesn't go from golden to burnt – a bit of vigilance pays off here.

10. Step 10: Cool and Serve Once that cheese is just right, carefully take your masterpiece out of the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This little pause helps everything settle down and makes serving a breeze. Now, dish up this comforting casserole and enjoy!

Notes

Common missteps often happen in the hustle of preparing this delicious Hamburger Casserole. One frequent slip-up is forgetting to drain the noodles, which can lead to a soggy dish. Ensure your pasta is well-drained to keep the texture just right.

Another pitfall is overcooking the ground beef. It quickly becomes dry, so watch closely and make sure it’s just lost its pink color.

When it comes to cheese, some folks layer it too thick or too thin. Aim for a uniform layer for perfect meltiness.

Finally, don’t skip preheating the oven. Starting with a hot oven ensures even baking and bubbly, golden cheese.

With these tips, your casserole is sure to impress!

Keywords: Beef Casserole Recipe, Ground Beef Bake, Hamburger Bake, Meat Casserole Dish, Cheeseburger Casserole, Savory Hamburger Bake, One-Pot Hamburger Dish