Unlock smarter recipes, nutrition insights, and exclusive guides.

Online Cook

    OnlineCook
    OnlineCook

    April 29, 2025

    This hearty beef and pasta casserole uses a secret pantry ingredient for extra flavor.

    11 Ingredients
    Recipe

    Hamburger and Shells Casserole

    Ingredients

    Servings
    0 allergens identified

    Instructions

    1
    |
    Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
    2
    |
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta. Cook until al dente, 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta, then return it to the pot and set aside. While the pasta boils, cook the meat.
    3
    |
    Spray an extra-large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. Add the beef, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and saute, breaking up the meat with a rubber spatula as it cooks, until it is browned, 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
    4
    |
    Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the tomato soup and water to the beef. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook until the liquid is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
    5
    |
    Pour the beef mixture into the pot of pasta and stir to combine. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
    6
    |
    Sprinkle the shredded cheeses evenly over the casserole.
    7
    |
    Bake the casserole on middle rack of oven until bubbling at the edges and cheese is melted and lightly browned, 25-28 minutes.
    8
    |
    Check to see that casserole is done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
    9
    |
    Allow the casserole to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

    Smart Nutrition

    Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

    Review & Earn

    Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

    Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

    My Notes

    Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

    Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

    Tips & Tricks (5)

    • Soup Secret Weapon 🥫
      Use the condensed tomato soup as a flavor-packed sauce base by whisking it with water to create a rich, creamy coating for the pasta and beef.
    • Cheese Layering Technique 🧀
      Mix both mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, creating a more complex flavor profile and achieving a perfectly melted, golden-brown top.
    • Shell Pasta Pro Tip 🐚
      Cook pasta shells just shy of al dente, as they'll continue cooking in the casserole and absorb the flavorful sauce without becoming mushy.
    • Ground Beef Browning Hack 🥩
      Use a potato masher while cooking ground beef to create uniform, small crumbles that distribute evenly throughout the casserole.
    • Seasoning Balance Trick 🌶️
      Start with a light hand on salt due to the sodium in the condensed soup, and adjust garlic powder and black pepper to enhance overall flavor complexity.

    Intelligent Tags

    About OnlineCook

    OnlineCook

    My Recipes

    My Videos

    420 Videos

    OnlineCook

      View Profile
      Fire Icon

      More Recipes

      Browse OnlineCook recipes!

      View
      cookie Icon

      Complete The Meal! 🔎

      Quick Explore Recipes by Category

      See All

      No Recipes Available

      sparkle

      Recommendations

      Tailored to your preferences

      View All
      Quick & Easy Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Roasted Potatoes and Veggies
      Quick & Easy Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Roasted Potatoes and Veggies
      Dinner

      Quick & Easy Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Roasted Potatoes and Veggies

      OnlineCook
      Roasted Pork Loin with Sauerkraut
      Roasted Pork Loin with Sauerkraut
      Dinner

      Roasted Pork Loin with Sauerkraut

      OnlineCook
      Turkey Stuffed Peppers
      Turkey Stuffed Peppers
      Dinner

      Turkey Stuffed Peppers

      OnlineCook
      Salmon Veggie Rice Bowl
      Salmon Veggie Rice Bowl
      Dinner

      Salmon Veggie Rice Bowl

      Hunt4Shredz
      High-Protein Garlic Butter Beef & Potato Bowl
      High-Protein Garlic Butter Beef & Potato Bowl
      Dinner

      High-Protein Garlic Butter Beef & Potato Bowl

      Hunt4Shredz
      Oven-Roasted Bell Pepper Steak
      Oven-Roasted Bell Pepper Steak
      Dinner

      Oven-Roasted Bell Pepper Steak

      OnlineCook
      Palak Paneer
      Palak Paneer
      Dinner

      Palak Paneer

      OnlineCook
      Vegan Baked Ziti
      Vegan Baked Ziti
      Dinner

      Vegan Baked Ziti

      OnlineCook
      High-Protein Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
      High-Protein Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
      Dinner

      High-Protein Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

      Hunt4Shredz
      Gluten Free Lasagna
      Gluten Free Lasagna
      Dinner

      Gluten Free Lasagna

      Organically Addison
      Gnocchi Mac & Cheese with Pancetta
      Gnocchi Mac & Cheese with Pancetta
      Dinner

      Gnocchi Mac & Cheese with Pancetta

      These Carbs Don't Count
      30-Minute Asian Chicken Thighs
      30-Minute Asian Chicken Thighs
      Dinner

      30-Minute Asian Chicken Thighs

      OnlineCook
      Asian Baked Chicken Legs
      Asian Baked Chicken Legs
      Dinner

      Asian Baked Chicken Legs

      OnlineCook
      High Protein Air Fried Chicken Nuggets
      High Protein Air Fried Chicken Nuggets
      Dinner

      High Protein Air Fried Chicken Nuggets

      Hunt4Shredz
      Grilled Tri Tip Roast with Santa Maria Rub & Chimichurri Sauce
      Grilled Tri Tip Roast with Santa Maria Rub & Chimichurri Sauce
      Dinner

      Grilled Tri Tip Roast with Santa Maria Rub & Chimichurri Sauce

      Flavor the Moments
      High Protein Shredded Chicken Alfredo Meal Prep
      High Protein Shredded Chicken Alfredo Meal Prep
      Dinner

      High Protein Shredded Chicken Alfredo Meal Prep

      Hunt4Shredz
      Chicken Pesto Naan Pizzas
      Chicken Pesto Naan Pizzas
      Dinner

      Chicken Pesto Naan Pizzas

      OnlineCook
      Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast
      Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast
      Dinner

      Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast

      Flavor the Moments
      Roasted Chickpeas
      Roasted Chickpeas
      Dinner

      Roasted Chickpeas

      OnlineCook
      Juicy Oven-Baked Cajun Chicken Breasts
      Juicy Oven-Baked Cajun Chicken Breasts
      Dinner

      Juicy Oven-Baked Cajun Chicken Breasts

      OnlineCook
      Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
      Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
      Dinner

      Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

      Flavor the Moments
      Roast Spatchcock Chicken
      Roast Spatchcock Chicken
      Dinner

      Roast Spatchcock Chicken

      Flavor the Moments
      High-Protein Chicken Al Pastor Bowls
      High-Protein Chicken Al Pastor Bowls
      Dinner

      High-Protein Chicken Al Pastor Bowls

      Hunt4Shredz
      Parmesan Crusted Chicken
      Parmesan Crusted Chicken
      Dinner

      Parmesan Crusted Chicken

      Organically Addison
      Pumpkin Vodka Burrata Pasta
      Pumpkin Vodka Burrata Pasta
      Dinner

      Pumpkin Vodka Burrata Pasta

      These Carbs Don't Count
      Creamy Lemon Shells Pasta
      Creamy Lemon Shells Pasta
      Dinner

      Creamy Lemon Shells Pasta

      These Carbs Don't Count
      Indian Butter Chicken
      Indian Butter Chicken
      Dinner

      Indian Butter Chicken

      OnlineCook
      Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma
      Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma
      Dinner

      Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma

      OnlineCook
      Easy Chicken Burrito Bowls
      Easy Chicken Burrito Bowls
      Dinner

      Easy Chicken Burrito Bowls

      Flavor the Moments