Cheeseburger Pasta Bake
User Reviews
5
Cheeseburger Pasta Bake
Description
Cheeseburger Pasta Bake is a casserole dish featuring lean ground beef cooked with onions, garlic, and seasonings, then simmered with a vegetable-enriched pasta sauce and macaroni. The mixture is cooked on the stovetop until boiling, then transferred to the oven to bake. The inclusion of crispy bacon pieces adds a smoky flavor and texture contrast, although olive oil can be used as a substitute fat. The shredded cheddar cheese melts on top, creating a creamy, golden crust as it bakes.
The flavor profile echoes a cheeseburger with the richness from beef and cheddar, acidity from the tomato sauce, and a hint of tang from Worcestershire and mustard spices. The elbow macaroni offers a sturdy yet tender bite that holds sauce well. Cooking the dish in an oven-safe skillet streamlines preparation by carrying the flavors throughout.
This baked pasta pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness. It can serve as a family-friendly dinner or a filling meal prep option. The recipe benefits from optional bacon but stands well on its own.
Ingredients
- 6 lices Bacon optional, thick-cut
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (only to use if bacon is not used)
- 1 small onion plus more for garnishing, if desired, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard ground
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste, ground
- 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1 (25-ounces) Prego pasta sauce hidden with super veggies, flavored with meat, jar
- 3 cups elbow macaroni dried, uncooked
- 2 cups water
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
- parsley optional, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In an oven safe skillet, cook the bacon (if using) over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel lined plate. Crumble the bacon.
- Pour out most of the rendered bacon fat, leaving some in the pan (about a tablespoon) to saute the veggies and brown the ground beef.
- If not using bacon, heat the olive oil in an oven safe skillet over medium heat. Saute the onions for about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook stirring constantly for about a minute.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon for about 4 to 5 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, salt and ground pepper. Next, add the Prego®+ Hidden with Super Veggies - Flavored with Meat and mix to combine.
- Add the elbow macaroni pasta and 2 cups of water. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil and immediately remove from the heat.
- Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the oven, remove lid or foil and stir well. Top the pasta with cheese and bacon (if using). Bake uncovered for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve, garnished with chopped onions and chopped parsley (optional).
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 523 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 523kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 41g | 14% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 83mg | 28% |
| Sodium | 560mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 419mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 294IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 230mg | 23% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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