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Healthy Cheeseburger Casserole - Comfort Food Made Lighter

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces whole-wheat or high-protein elbow macaroni (or chickpea pasta for gluten-free)
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (90–93%) or ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed, for leaner meats)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or green)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained (or fresh diced)
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce (no-sugar-added)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup (no-sugar-added, if possible)
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5%)
  • 1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar (or a sharp cheddar blend)
  • 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella (for melt)
  • Optional toppings: sliced dill pickles, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, green onions, sesame seeds
  • Optional add-ins: 1 cup chopped spinach or riced cauliflower for extra veg

Method
 

  1. Preheat and prep: Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Cook the pasta: Boil in salted water until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside. It will finish cooking in the oven.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
  4. Brown the meat: Add the ground beef or turkey. Cook, breaking it up, until browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Season it up: Stir in smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  6. Make the sauce: Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, and broth. Bring to a gentle simmer for 3–4 minutes to thicken slightly.
  7. Creamy finish: Remove the pan from heat and let it cool 1 minute. Stir in Greek yogurt until smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  8. Combine: Add the cooked pasta (and optional spinach or riced cauliflower). Toss until evenly coated.
  9. Layer and top: Spread the mixture in the baking dish. Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top.
  10. Bake: Bake 12–15 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is melted with light golden spots.
  11. Rest and garnish: Let it rest 5 minutes. Top with sliced pickles, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and green onions if you like. Sprinkle sesame seeds for a “burger bun” vibe.
  12. Serve: Scoop into bowls. Add a drizzle of mustard or a swipe of ketchup if you want extra classic flavor.