The Irresistible Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe Everyone Loves
Comfort food meets convenience in this mouthwatering cheeseburger casserole that promises to satisfy serious hunger pangs.
Layered ingredients create a hearty meal bursting with familiar flavors.
Cheesy goodness melts perfectly between seasoned ground beef and crispy edges.
Home cooks appreciate how quickly this dish comes together in one pan.
Weeknight dinners just got more exciting with this crowd-pleasing recipe.
Simple techniques ensure you can craft a memorable meal without complicated steps.
Hungry for a delicious twist on classic burger flavors?
Dive right in and make dinner something special tonight.
Serving Suggestions For Cheeseburger Casserole
Proper Storage For Cheeseburger Casserole
FAQs
Absolutely! Kids love the cheesy, meaty flavors and familiar cheeseburger taste. It’s an easy way to get children excited about dinner.
Yes, ground turkey or chicken work great as substitutes for beef. The recipe is flexible and will still taste delicious with alternative protein choices.
Try using lean ground beef, whole wheat pasta, and reduced-fat cheese. You can also add extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to boost nutrition.
Not at all! This casserole is super simple and perfect for beginner cooks. Just follow the steps, and you’ll have a tasty meal in no time.
Cheeseburger Casserole Comfort In A Dish
Ingredients For Cheeseburger Casserole
Main Ingredients:Vegetable Base:Seasoning and Sauce:Optional Garnish:How To Prepare Cheeseburger Casserole
Step 1: Fire Up the Oven
Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C) and get ready for some serious comfort food magic.
Step 2: Boil the Pasta
Cook your pasta until it’s perfectly tender, then drain and set it aside, ready for the flavor explosion.
Step 3: Sizzle the Aromatics
Splash some olive oil in a skillet and dance those onions and garlic around until they’re soft and fragrant.
Step 4: Brown the Beef
Toss in the ground beef and cook it until it’s beautifully browned, making sure to drain any extra grease.
Step 5: Build the Flavor Base
Stir in these flavor-packed ingredients:Let everything simmer and get cozy for about 5 minutes.
Step 6: Combine and Transfer
Mix the cooked pasta with the beefy goodness, then slide the entire mixture into a greased casserole dish.
Step 7: Cheese It Up
Blanket the top with a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 8: Final Touches
If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with pickles or a zigzag of ketchup.
Serve piping hot and watch everyone dive in!
Tips For Perfect Cheeseburger Casserole
Variations To Try With Cheeseburger Casserole
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Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Midwestern cheeseburger casserole delivers classic comfort with ground beef, cheese, and pasta layers. Home cooks appreciate this hearty dish that combines familiar flavors in one satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Optional Garnish:
- Pickles
- Ketchup
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Cook pasta until al dente, then thoroughly drain and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, sautéing chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Eliminate excess fat from the meat by carefully draining.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer and meld flavors for 5 minutes.
- Combine cooked pasta with the seasoned beef mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Transfer the combined mixture to a greased casserole dish, spreading evenly.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Optional: Garnish with sliced pickles or drizzle ketchup before serving hot.
Notes
- Customize the cheese by swapping cheddar with pepper jack or mozzarella for different flavor profiles.
- Reduce carbohydrate content by substituting pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative.
- Enhance protein intake by adding extra lean ground beef or mixing in ground turkey for more nutritional variety.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and making weeknight dinners faster and easier.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Amanda Bennett
Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing and Development, Culinary Instruction, Food Styling and Photography
Education
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Emphasized practical cooking skills, nutrition, and kitchen management.
Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Cambridge, MA
Certificate in Professional Pastry Arts
Specialized in baking techniques, dessert presentation, and flavor profiling
Amanda’s roots run deep in the Southern hills, where every meal started fresh from the garden and every dessert came with a story. She trained at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and sharpened her pastry skills at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, blending classic technique with everyday charm.
At The Liffey, Amanda’s passion is making baking and home cooking feel natural and joyful. She’s all about single recipes that are simple enough for a busy afternoon, but special enough to make someone’s day a little sweeter.