Description
Cozy baked dish combining savory ground beef, tender rotini pasta, and rich tomato-mustard sauce topped with melted cheddar cheese. Finished with tangy chopped dill pickles, capturing classic cheeseburger flavors for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
2 cups (6 oz) uncooked rotini pasta (brown rice pasta for gluten-free option)
2 tsp olive oil
1½ cups finely chopped onions
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 lb lean ground beef (95% lean)
¾ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp tomato paste
28 oz diced tomatoes
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 cups reduced-fat grated cheddar cheese
¼ cup chopped dill pickles
Instructions
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Preheat oven: Set to 350°F (177°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
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Cook pasta: Boil rotini in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook onions 5 minutes until softened; add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
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Cook beef: Add ground beef and brown thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper.
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Add sauce ingredients: Stir in tomato paste, then diced tomatoes and Dijon mustard. Simmer 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
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Combine: Mix meat sauce with cooked pasta and spread evenly in prepared dish.
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Bake: Top with grated cheddar and bake approximately 15 minutes until cheese melts and lightly bubbles.
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Finish: Sprinkle chopped dill pickles over the top before serving.
Notes
Use lean ground beef for healthier casserole.
Stir sauce frequently to prevent sticking and burning.
Reserve some pickles for garnish to adjust tanginess.
Use quality Dijon mustard for deeper flavor.
Bake uncovered for golden, bubbly cheese topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Stovetop & Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: 90
Keywords: cheeseburger pasta bake, ground beef casserole, baked pasta with cheddar, easy family casserole, tomato mustard pasta bake