There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm, hearty casserole on a cold day, and this Hamburger and Macaroni Casserole is a perfect example. This dish has been a favorite in my family for years, and I can’t wait to share it with you! This casserole is made with simple, affordable ingredients like hamburger, macaroni, and tomato soup, but the result is a flavorful, satisfying meal that’s sure to please. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want to make a comforting meal for yourself, this recipe is a great choice. Plus, it’s versatile enough to be customized with your favorite add-ins, like cheese, celery, or peppers. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. hamburger
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 c. macaroni
- 2 cans tomato soup
Baking Instructions
- Brown hamburger and onion.
- Cook macaroni in 2 quarts salted water, then drain.
- Add 2 cans tomato soup to the hamburger and macaroni.
- Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.
- Can be covered with cheese, then heated until cheese melts.
- Can add chopped celery or peppers to hamburger as well.
Calorie: 600
Total cooking time: 1 hour
Difficulty level: Easy
The Great Hamburger Heist
So there I was, faced with the challenge of transforming a pound of humble hamburger into dinner. And not just any dinner, mind you, but a Hamburger and Macaroni Casserole. You know the one – simple, hearty, and has a knack for making your kitchen smell like a 1950’s sitcom.
Meet the Gang
The ingredients on my counter looked like a motley crew indeed. The ringleader, a pound of hamburger, was flanked by a small onion, a cup of macaroni, and two cans of tomato soup. An unlikely team, right? But trust me, they get along like a house on fire!
Operation Hamburger
First, it was time to brown the hamburger and onion. In the pan, the two started to sizzle and snap like a comedy duo, the onion shedding tears of laughter (or was it just heat?) as the hamburger broke down into delectable crumbles. I’m not saying I’m easily amused, but this was pretty entertaining stuff.
Macaroni Mayhem
While the hamburger and onion were doing their thing, I turned my attention to the macaroni. Into a pot of salted water it went, like tiny tubular divers exploring a salty sea. I don’t know about you, but there’s something supremely satisfying about watching pasta pirouette in boiling water.
The Great Merge
Next, I was to add the tomato soup to the hamburger and macaroni. Now, I’ve never been one to question a recipe, but this step had me raising an eyebrow. Soup in a casserole? But hey, I’m just a humble food blogger, not a Michelin-starred chef. I poured the soup in, and to my surprise, it didn’t turn into a culinary catastrophe. Instead, it gave the mixture a rich, tangy flavor that had me smacking my lips in anticipation.
The Bake Off
Then came the final test: baking the casserole at 350° for 30 minutes. This gave me plenty of time to ponder the mysteries of life, like why does time slow down when you’re waiting for something to bake? Or how come the seconds tick by slower than a snail racing through peanut butter?
Cheese, Please!
Once the timer beeped, I took the casserole out with a flourish, feeling like I’d just won a culinary marathon. But wait! The recipe suggested covering the casserole with cheese and heating it until the cheese melted. Who am I to deny a casserole its cheesy blanket? Back into the oven it went, emerging a few minutes later with a bubbling, golden top that looked like the surface of a deliciously cheesy moon.
Mix it Up
The recipe also suggested adding chopped celery or peppers to the hamburger. I didn’t have any on hand, but I made a mental note to try that next time. After all, every good heist story needs a twist, doesn’t it?
So there you have it, my friends. My evening of culinary shenanigans, resulting in a delicious Hamburger and Macaroni Casserole. Trust me, this dish is a real crowd-pleaser, even if the crowd is just you and your hungry cat.
