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Servings: 6 people
Calories: 405kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
- 1 pound lean ground meat
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons pickles chopped
- Salt and pepper
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley to serve
Instructions
- Make the macaroni according to the package directions. Set aside.1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
- In a non-stick skillet, cook the meat until browned and remove any excess grease.1 pound lean ground meat
- Once the meat is no longer pink, add the onion and garlic and mix well. Cook for 5 more minutes.1 onion, 2 garlic cloves
- Add the Worcestershire sauce, mustard, ketchup, pickles, salt and pepper. Mix well.1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon mustard, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons pickles, Salt and pepper
- Prepare a baking dish with a bit of cooking oil. In a bowl, mix the meat, macaroni and half of the cheese. Transfer to the baking dish.2 cups Cheddar cheese
- Top with the rest of the cheese and bake in the air fryer at 320°F/160ºC for 20 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve with fresh parsley. Enjoy your Cheeseburger Casserole!Fresh parsley
Notes
- Cheese: For the best melt and flavor, go with a good quality cheddar. You can also mix in some mozzarella for extra gooeyness.
- Lean meat: Using lean ground beef or turkey not only makes this dish healthier but also reduces the amount of grease you need to drain off.
- Veggies: Feel free to toss in some chopped bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, or mushrooms to the meat mixture for added nutrition and flavor. It’s a great way to use up leftover veggies that are sitting in your fridge.
- Spice it up: If you like things a bit spicy, add a dash of chili powder or diced jalapeños to the meat as it cooks.
- No air fryer: If you don’t have an air fryer, this casserole can easily be baked in a conventional oven. Here is our Cheeseburger Casserole recipe for the full instructions.
- Double up: This recipe is perfect for doubling if you're feeding a larger crowd or want leftovers for the week.
- Garnishes: Besides parsley, consider topping with chopped green onions, sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, a drizzle of extra ketchup, mustard, or burger sauce, or even a sprinkle of bacon bits for added crunch and flavor.
- Make ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you're ready to bake it in the air fryer. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if you're starting from cold.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Cool and Airtight: Let the casserole cool to room temperature, and use an airtight container to store it in the refrigerator.
- Refrigerate: Stored properly, your cheeseburger casserole will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: When you're ready to enjoy it again, reheat the casserole in the microwave or back in the air fryer at a lower temperature to warm through without drying out. If using the air fryer, you can cover it with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in.
- Freeze: Cool it completely, then cover tightly and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutrition
Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 449mg | Potassium: 445mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 417IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 295mg | Iron: 3mg
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