The Ultimate Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe: Family-Favorite Comfort

Comfort food takes a delightful turn with this mouthwatering cheeseburger casserole recipe that combines classic burger flavors in a hearty baked dish.

Layers of seasoned ground beef meld perfectly with creamy cheese and tender pasta in every satisfying bite.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing casserole that brings all the juicy burger goodness to your table.

Kids and adults alike will devour this cheesy, savory creation faster than you can say “dinner is served.” Each forkful delivers a nostalgic blend of familiar burger ingredients transformed into a comforting one-pan meal.

This recipe promises to become a new family favorite that’s both easy to prepare and impossible to resist.

Cheeseburger Casserole Highlights & Flavor Notes

• Whip Up Comfort Food: This cheeseburger casserole transforms classic burger flavors into a hearty, one-dish meal that feels like a warm hug from grandma's kitchen.
• Simplify Meal Prep: Perfect for busy families, this recipe requires minimal ingredients and cooking skills, making it a stress-free dinner solution that everyone will love.
• Kid-Approved Delight: Packed with familiar flavors of ground beef, cheese, and pasta, this casserole is guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters at the dinner table.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Great for potlucks, family gatherings, or weeknight dinners, this dish satisfies hunger and brings people together with its delicious, comforting taste.

Ingredients For Easy Cheeseburger Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base for the cheeseburger casserole that provides rich meaty texture.

• Pasta: The comforting foundation of the casserole that helps bind all the ingredients together.

• Cheddar Cheese: A sharp and melty cheese that adds a classic cheeseburger flavor and creamy topping.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that create a deep and savory flavor profile for the dish.
• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes: Provide moisture and tangy tomato base that mimics classic cheeseburger flavors.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a complex umami and slightly tangy depth to the meat mixture.
• Mustard: Optional condiment that brings a zesty and sharp taste reminiscent of burger toppings.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the casserole.

• Olive Oil: Used to cook the ground beef and create a non-stick surface in the skillet.

Step-By-Step Cheeseburger Casserole Instructions

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F and get ready for a mouthwatering meal.

Step 2: Boil the Pasta

Cook the pasta until it’s perfectly tender, then drain and set it aside for the next delicious phase.

Step 3: Brown the Meat

Grab your skillet and heat up some olive oil.

Toss in the ground beef, onions, and garlic.

Cook until the meat is beautifully browned and sizzling.

• Ground beef
• Onions
• Garlic

Drain away any extra fat to keep things light and tasty.

Step 4: Create the Flavor Bomb

• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Worcestershire sauce
• Mustard
• Salt
• Pepper

Let this magical mixture simmer and meld together for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Combine the Magic

Mix the beef mixture with the cooked pasta and sprinkle in half of the shredded cheddar cheese.

Watch the flavors come together.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the entire mixture to a greased baking dish.

Top it with the remaining cheddar cheese for maximum cheesy goodness.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pop the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

You’re looking for melted, bubbly cheese that’s irresistibly golden.

Let it cool for a few minutes before diving in and enjoying your incredible cheeseburger casserole.

Cheeseburger Casserole Tips You’ll Love

• Remove all excess water from pasta to prevent a watery casserole and ensure a rich, concentrated flavor.
• Choose ground beef with lower fat content (85/15 or 90/10) to reduce greasiness and create a healthier dish.
• Grate cheese fresh for optimal melting and use room temperature cheese to help it spread evenly across the casserole.
• Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika to enhance the cheeseburger-like taste and depth of flavor.
• Prepare the casserole in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready, adding 5-10 extra minutes to cooking time if coming straight from the fridge.

Fun Spins On Cheeseburger Casserole

• Vegetarian Burger Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, using the same seasonings and cooking method for a meat-free version.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Casserole: Swap pasta with riced cauliflower, maintaining the classic cheeseburger flavor profile while reducing carbohydrate content.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles, ensuring all other ingredients are gluten-free certified for those with dietary restrictions.
• Spicy Southwestern Variation: Add diced green chilies, jalapeños, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to create a zesty southwestern-style casserole.

Serving Up Cheeseburger Casserole In Style

• Burger Night Extravaganza: Serve this hearty casserole as the star of a casual family dinner with crisp green salad on the side.
• Picnic Perfect Plate: Pack cooled portions in individual containers for a delicious outdoor meal that travels well and tastes amazing at room temperature.
• Comfort Food Companions: Pair with tangy pickle spears, crunchy coleslaw, or buttery garlic bread to complement the rich, cheesy flavors of the casserole.
• Topping Adventure: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley, diced green onions, or crispy bacon bits on top for extra texture and a pop of color right before serving.

Best Way To Store Cheeseburger Casserole

• Store cooled casserole in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping it fresh and ready for quick reheating.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed, stirring between intervals.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, transfer casserole to an oven-safe dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe container or heavy-duty aluminum foil, label with date, and freeze for up to 2-3 months for later enjoyment.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for a different flavor profile.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Cheeseburger casserole is a crowd-pleaser that kids love due to its cheesy, meaty, and comforting nature.

• How can I make this dish healthier?

Use lean ground beef, whole wheat pasta, reduce cheese quantity, and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to boost nutrition.

• Can I prepare this casserole in advance?

You can assemble the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Sizzling cheeseburger casserole brings classic American comfort to dinner tables with its hearty layers of ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy edges. Home cooks will savor this nostalgic dish that combines familiar flavors in one satisfying skillet.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese

Pasta:

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

Canned Tomato Products:

• 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (8 ounces / 227 grams) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Condiments and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Ingredient:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Optional Garnish:

• Chopped fresh parsley or green onions

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing a welcoming environment for the casserole.
2. Cook pasta until tender, ensuring al dente texture, then drain thoroughly and reserve.
3. In a spacious skillet, sizzle ground beef with aromatic onions and garlic until meat turns rich brown, carefully eliminating excess grease.
4. Introduce tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and optional mustard, seasoning with salt and pepper. Allow flavors to meld for 5 minutes over gentle heat.
5. Marry the savory beef mixture with cooked pasta, gently folding in half of the sharp cheddar cheese for initial flavor complexity.
6. Transfer the hearty mixture into a prepared baking dish, creating an even layer for consistent cooking.
7. Crown the casserole with remaining cheese, creating a golden, melting topping.
8. Slide into preheated oven and bake 20-25 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbling, irresistible blanket.
9. Rest the casserole briefly after removing from oven, allowing flavors to settle and making serving easier.

Notes

• Optimize pasta texture by cooking al dente to prevent mushiness during baking.
• Enhance flavor depth by using lean ground beef with higher fat content for richer taste.
• Customize dietary needs by substituting ground beef with turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for lighter protein options.
• Reduce sodium levels by selecting low-sodium tomato sauce and using fresh herbs instead of salt for seasoning.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 402 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg