Cheeseburger Casserole

I am in full casserole mode now that it's Fall & it's so cold outside that turning my oven on helps warm me up!  I will be honest, I was a little nervous about this casserole.  It sounded, well, interesting because it's meant to taste like an actual cheeseburger that you grill in the summertime.  I was shocked when I took my first bite, that it actually had all the flavor components of a cheeseburger there!  It has the seasoned beef, ketchup, mustard, tomatoes, onion, & cheese.  Um, WOW!  I really liked this casserole, like I went back for seconds because I liked it so much.  The original recipe had diced up pickles in it, which you can feel free to add to this one, but I am not a pickle girl, so I left those out.  Move over Hamburger Helper!  This one is simple & delicious!

Cheeseburger Casserole

Recipe lightly altered from Bakerette by: Amber (Dessert Now, Dinner Later!)

• 2 cups (6 oz) uncooked rotini pasta (spiral pasta)
• 2 tsp canola or vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups onions, finely chopped (about 1 large onion)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tsp)
• 1 lb lean ground beef (I used 97/3)
• 1 Tbsp peppercorn steak seasoning
• 6 Tbsp ketchup
• 3 Tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 (14.5oz) can petite diced tomatoes
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup dill pickles, finely chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F.  Grease a 13x9" pan with cooking spray.  Set aside.
2. Boil the pasta in a large pot according to the packaged directions until al dente.  Drain & set aside.
3. Meanwhile, brown beef in a large skillet.  Drain fat & set meat aside.
4. In the same skillet heat oil & saute onions 10 minutes or until translucent.  Add garlic & saute another minute or until fragrant.
5. Return the beef to the pan & add the steak seasoning, ketchup, mustard, diced tomatoes, & cooked pasta.  Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.  Pour mixture into prepared pan & sprinkle with cheese.
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted & everything is heated through well.  Serve hot topped with chopped dill pickle if desired.

I am in full casserole mode now that it's Fall & it's so cold outside that turning my oven on helps warm me up!  I will be honest, I was a little nervous about this casserole.  It sounded, well, interesting because it's meant to taste like an actual cheeseburger that you grill in the summertime.  I was shocked when I took my first bite, that it actually had all the flavor components of a cheeseburger there!  It has the seasoned beef, ketchup, mustard, tomatoes, onion, & cheese.  Um, WOW!  I really liked this casserole, like I went back for seconds because I liked it so much.  The original recipe had diced up pickles in it, which you can feel free to add to this one, but I am not a pickle girl, so I left those out.  Move over Hamburger Helper!  This one is simple & delicious!

Cheeseburger Casserole

Recipe lightly altered from Bakerette by: Amber (Dessert Now, Dinner Later!)

• 2 cups (6 oz) uncooked rotini pasta (spiral pasta)
• 2 tsp canola or vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups onions, finely chopped (about 1 large onion)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tsp)
• 1 lb lean ground beef (I used 97/3)
• 1 Tbsp peppercorn steak seasoning
• 6 Tbsp ketchup
• 3 Tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 (14.5oz) can petite diced tomatoes
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup dill pickles, finely chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F.  Grease a 13x9" pan with cooking spray.  Set aside.
2. Boil the pasta in a large pot according to the packaged directions until al dente.  Drain & set aside.
3. Meanwhile, brown beef in a large skillet.  Drain fat & set meat aside.
4. In the same skillet heat oil & saute onions 10 minutes or until translucent.  Add garlic & saute another minute or until fragrant.
5. Return the beef to the pan & add the steak seasoning, ketchup, mustard, diced tomatoes, & cooked pasta.  Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.  Pour mixture into prepared pan & sprinkle with cheese.
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted & everything is heated through well.  Serve hot topped with chopped dill pickle if desired.