One Skillet Cheeseburger Casserole

With the new daylight savings changes, I feel like dinnertime is feeling less like something-we-squeeze-in-right-before-bedtime, and more like something-we-do-to-fuel-up-for-some-last-minute-playtime-outside! I know for sure there are a lot of people who hate the time change twice a year, but I actually really love it! Switching things up every once-in-a-while is kind of fun for us (sure, it's hard at first, but effectively resets my mental clock for a new season). With a kid, yes, it can be tricky. But it still somehow makes me that much more excited for Spring and Fall when the time changes come into play. (please don't throw rocks at me!)...

Back to dinnertime. With daylights savings switching the hours around and making the days feel so much longer, I feel like dinnertime is just a quick pause before continuing our outside play. Spring and especially summer nights are something I've longed for during the cold winter - and there's no way I'm skimping out on them for a second! Dinnertime in our house is usually pretty quick and painless (despite the picky-eater-battles) and shouldn't take longer than a snap to throw together. This recipe is super easy, quick, and is pretty filling for little tummies, as well as grown-up ones!

Everything is cooked in one skillet, one pot, one time. Less dishes = more family playtime as well :) First, you brown the ground beef and soften those beautiful onion pieces in the skillet. Then you toss in everything else (including the uncooked pasta). The pasta soaks in all the incredible tomato juices in the covered skillet - it's so perfectly hearty, and saves a lot of cook-and-drain-the-pasta-on-the-side time. Top it all off with some fresh tomatoes, green onions, and even a little sprinkle of bacon, and you have dinnertime on the table within a short half hour with almost zero effort.

At first I was afraid to make this dish because the flavors are remotely similar to Hamburger Helper. We are not fans of that box of crazy - this stuff has the same intent, but with real, beautiful flavors! The cheeseburger flavors are all there (except for the pickles... we are anti-pickle, too), but in a new & fun little outfit :)

xo,

blondie

One Skillet Cheeseburger Casserole

makes 8 servings

ingredients:

1 T EVOO

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1 onion, diced

kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 28oz can whole peeled tomatoes, roughly chopped

1 8oz can tomato sauce

2 C chicken broth

1/4 C ketchup

2 T dijon mustard

1 lb rotini pasta

2 C shredded cheddar cheese

1 plum tomato, diced

2 green onion, diced

*crumbled bacon

method:

1. Heat EVOO in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef and onion and cook through until ground beef is no longer pink, and is browned everywhere (crusty brown in some places is good, too). Season with salt and pepper. Drain any excess juices/fat from pan.

2. Immediately stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, ketchup, mustard, pasta (raw, uncooked), and 2 cups of water. Bring the entire mixture to a boil, cover, and then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until pasta is al dente, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and top with all the cheese. Cover with a lid until cheese is completely melted, about 1-2 minutes. Top with tomato, *bacon, and green onions. Serve immediately.

*I didn't try this with bacon, but completely wish I had! It sounds amazing!

Recipe source: damn delicious "One Pot Cheeseburger Casserole".

Love easy pasta dishes? Here's a couple more we've fallen in love with!