Easy & Healthy Cheeseburger Casserole Delight! 🍔
A hearty and healthy cheeseburger casserole that's perfect for a weeknight family meal. Loaded with lean ground beef, pasta, tomatoes, and cheese, it's a delicious twist on a classic comfort food.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 3-quart baking dish
Ingredients
Casserole Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes (15-ounce), undrained
- 3.5 cups cooked rotini pasta (al dente, consider whole wheat for extra fiber!)
- 8 slices cooked bacon crumbled or chopped (optional, for that extra flavor)
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese divided (or your favorite shredded cheese blend)
- 0.5 cup half-and-half (or plain Greek yogurt for a healthier twist)
- 0.25 cup low-sugar ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons dill relish (optional, but adds a great tang!)
- Fresh chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Get Ready: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 3-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet, cook the lean ground beef and diced onion over medium-high heat for about 4 to 6 minutes, until the beef is fully browned and the onions are soft. Make sure to drain any excess fat for a healthier dish.
- Add Flavor: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute or two until it smells wonderful. Then, add the ketchup, Dijon mustard, and relish (if using), mixing everything thoroughly. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Combine It All: Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, crumbled bacon (if you're using it), 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheese, and the half-and-half (or Greek yogurt).
- Mix in Pasta: Gently fold in the cooked and drained rotini pasta until everything is well combined. If your skillet is too full, transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish or a large bowl before mixing the pasta.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, uncover, and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped green onions, if desired, and serve hot!
Notes
Feel free to use ground turkey for a lighter option or Greek yogurt for a healthier twist instead of half-and-half. The dill relish is optional but adds a great tang! Don't forget to drain excess fat from the meat.
Nutrition Information (per serving): Calories: 802kcal, Total Carbs: 69g, Net Carbs: 53g, Fats: 43g, Protein: 48g.
