Cheesy Hamburger Pasta Casserole

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 70 mins

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 6 Servings

n addition to being cooked in a casserole dish large enough to feed a bunch of hungry mouths, any respectable American casserole must meet a few rules. Ask yourself if this dish is the following:

A jumble of ingredients, including cheese or cream, that undergo a physical transformation in the oven?
A scoopable texture that lies somewhere between a stew and bread pudding?
So warm and cozy you’d want to cuddle with it?

Ingredients

12 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3 cups)
6 slices regular-cut bacon (not thick-cut)
Cooking spray
12 ounces dry cavatappi pasta (about 4 1/2 cups)
1 pound lean ground beef, preferably 85% lean
2 cups beef broth
1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
1 tablespoon ketchup, plus more for serving
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, plus more for serving
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
6 slices deli American cheese (about 5 ounces)
1/2 small white onion
1 large dill pickle
1 tablespoon white sesame seeds

Instructions

5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, 1 (
5-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes with their juices, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Pour evenly over the macaroni, beef, and cheese. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.Remove the bacon from the oven and increase the temperature to 475°F. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble into 1/2-inch pieces.Bake the casserole for 20 minutes. It will be very loose and bubbly at this point. Uncover and stir well. Cover again with the foil and bake until the pasta is mostly cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, finely chop 1/2 small white onion (about 1/2 cup) and 1 large dill pickle (about 1/3 cup).Uncover the casserole. Top with 6 slices American cheese in a single layer and sprinkle with the bacon. Bake uncovered until the cheese is bubbly and browning in spots and the pasta is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes. Garnish with the white onion, pickle, and 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds. Serve with more ketchup and mustard if desired.Recipe NotesStorage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven or microwave until warmed through. If frozen, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.