PF
Savory dish topped with melted cheese, served in a yellow pot with a red lid.
Stovetop~40 minComplexity

Hamburger Casserole

This Hamburger Casserole delivers 60g protein and 940 calories per serving—a calorie-dense option built for muscle-gain phases. Quick stovetop prep yields 4 substantial servings in one batch. Cook this when your training demands surplus calories and you need concentrated protein-to-serving ratios for efficient meal prep.

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Ingredients

4 servings
  • Pasta, Macaroni (Elbow), Whole Wheat, Dry(227g)
  • Olive oil(38g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Carrots
  • Yellow Onion
  • Bell Pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Garlic(15g)
  • Hot Sauce, Frank'S RedHot(10g)
  • Paprika, Smoked(10g)
  • Cumin, Ground(5g)
  • 93/7 Ground Beef(454g)
  • Low Sodium Beef Broth(60g)

    Any carton beef broth labeled "low sodium." Bone broth substitutes fine.

  • Tomato Sauce
  • Greek Yogurt (2%)(198g)

    Plain Greek yogurt — nonfat (0%) or low-fat (2%). Not regular yogurt.

  • Cheddar Cheese(360g)
  • Bread Crumbs, Panko, Dry(60g)
  • Green Onion (Scallion)(80g)

Instructions

  1. 1Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the elbow macaroni and cook 2–3 minutes until very al dente (still slightly firm to the bite). Drain in a colander, shake out excess water, drizzle with half the olive oil, and stir gently with a spoon to coat. Set aside.
  2. 2While the pasta cooks, heat the remaining olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots, onion, and bell pepper. Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and deeply browned.
  3. 3Add the garlic, Frank's RedHot Sauce, smoked paprika, and ground cumin. Stir constantly over medium heat for 30 seconds until very fragrant.
  4. 4Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Break apart the meat with a spoon or spatula, stirring constantly for 6–7 minutes until browned on all sides and no longer pink inside. If excess fat pools, drain some away while keeping the meat moist.
  5. 5Pour in the beef broth while stirring to scrape up browned bits from the pan bottom. Stir in the tomato sauce and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Simmer 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
  6. 6Stir in the drained pasta, Greek yogurt, and three-quarters of the cheddar until fully combined.
  7. 7Transfer the mixture to a 2½- to 3-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar, panko breadcrumbs, and half the green onions across the top. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until the cheese melts and the casserole is hot throughout.
  8. 8Switch to broil and broil 2–3 minutes until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown. Let rest 5 minutes, top with remaining green onions, divide evenly into 4 airtight containers while hot, and serve.

Nutrition — Per Serving

940

calories

60g

protein

51g

fat

Carbohydrates
62g
Saturated fat
22.7g
Sodium
890 mg
Dietary fiber
7.5g

4 servings per batch · ~379g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Hamburger Casserole have per serving?

Each serving delivers 60g of protein and 940 calories, with 51g fat and 62g carbs. This is a high-calorie option suited for high-volume eating days or muscle-building phases.

How long does Hamburger Casserole take to prep?

This recipe qualifies as quick prep and makes 4 servings in one batch using the stovetop method. You'll have four complete meals ready from a single cooking session.

Is Hamburger Casserole good for muscle gain?

At 60g protein per serving and 940 calories, this casserole is designed for muscle-building phases where surplus calories support strength gains and recovery. The high carbohydrate content (62g) refuels muscles post-workout effectively.

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