Ingredients
2 cups uncooked shell pasta, cooked according to directions
1 lb ground beef (if using lean, add 2 tablespoons olive oil)
1 ½ cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp flour
½ cup ketchup
2-15 oz cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tbsp yellow mustard
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
½ cup chopped dill pickles, divided
2 cups cheddar cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9 x 13 in casserole dish with cooking spray.
In a large pot, prepare the macaroni al dente according to the directions on the package. Drain well, return to pot, and set aside.
While preparing the macaroni, saute the ground beef and onion in a skillet until ground beef is fully cooked and onion is transparent. Stir in garlic and sprinkle flour over the beef. Allow to saute for 2 additional minutes, stirring frequently.
Stir in the ketchup, diced tomatoes, mustard, salt and pepper, and worcestershire sauce. Let simmer for about 5 minutes.
Combine the beef mixture and ¼ cup diced pickles to the cooked pasta. Transfer to casserole dish.
Top with a layer of cheese.
Bake, covered, for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. If desired, remove cover and broil for about 3 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
Sprinkle with the remaining pickles and serve.
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Shell pasta is ideal here because its curved shape catches the beefy tomato sauce in every bite, but any short pasta like rotini or penne works well too.
- Using lean ground beef keeps the dish lighter, but adding 2 tablespoons of olive oil ensures the onions sauté properly and the mixture stays moist and flavorful.
- Dill pickles are the secret cheeseburger touch — half are cooked into the casserole for flavor depth, and the other half are sprinkled fresh on top for a bright, tangy crunch.
- Sharp cheddar cheese melts into a golden, bubbly layer that ties all the cheeseburger flavors together; a quick broil at the end takes it to the next level.
- Worcestershire sauce adds a deep, umami-rich savoriness that elevates the beef mixture beyond a simple tomato sauce.
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Each serving provides approximately 28 grams of protein, making this casserole a satisfying and muscle-supporting meal.
- Cheddar cheese contributes a significant amount of calcium per serving, supporting bone health alongside the protein from the ground beef.
- The diced tomatoes add lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health, as well as a boost of vitamin C to the dish.
- Ground beef is a rich source of zinc, iron, and vitamin B12, all essential for immune function, energy metabolism, and red blood cell production.
- Using lean ground beef helps manage saturated fat content, keeping this comfort food casserole a more balanced weeknight option.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories480
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat22 g72 g30.56%
- Saturated Fat10 g20 g50%
- Trans Fat1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
- Monounsaturated Fat7 g
- Cholesterol85 mg300 mg28.33%
- Sodium920 mg2300 mg40%
- Total Carbohydrate42 g275 g15.27%
- Dietary Fiber3 g28 g10.71%
- Total Sugars9 g
- Added Sugars5 g50 g10%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein28 g50 g56%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)8 mcg20 mcg40%
- Calcium280 mg1300 mg21.54%
- Iron3.8 mg18 mg21.11%
- Potassium680 mg4700 mg14.47%
- Vitamin A620 mcg900 mcg68.89%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)14 mg90 mg15.56%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)1.2 mg15 mg8%
- Vitamin K8 mcg120 mcg6.67%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.3 mg1.2 mg25%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.35 mg1.3 mg26.92%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)6.5 mg16 mg40.63%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.45 mg1.7 mg26.47%
- Folate55 mcg400 mcg13.75%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)2.4 mcg2.4 mcg100%
- Biotin6 mcg30 mcg20%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.9 mg5 mg18%
- Choline95 mg550 mg17.27%
- Phosphorus320 mg1250 mg25.6%
- Iodine18 mcg150 mcg12%
- Magnesium42 mg420 mg10%
- Zinc5.2 mg11 mg47.27%
- Selenium28 mcg55 mcg50.91%
- Copper0.18 mg0.9 mg20%
- Manganese0.55 mg2.3 mg23.91%
- Chromium4 mcg35 mcg11.43%
- Molybdenum12 mcg45 mcg26.67%
- Chloride480 mg2300 mg20.87%
