Easy Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
This Cheeseburger Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, tender macaroni, creamy cheddar cheese sauce, and plenty of melted cheese for an easy comfort food dinner the whole family can enjoy.
Think of it as a cheeseburger transformed into a warm, cheesy pasta casserole. The ground beef is seasoned with garlic, onion, and Worcestershire sauce, then mixed with macaroni and a creamy cheddar sauce before being topped with even more cheese and baked until hot and bubbly.
If you need an easy ground beef casserole for dinner, this is a simple, budget-friendly recipe you can have on the table in under an hour.
Why You'll Love This Cheeseburger Casserole
Easy weeknight dinner
Made with simple, inexpensive ingredients
Kid-friendly and family-friendly
Loaded with ground beef and cheddar cheese
Ready in under an hour
Great way to use a pound of ground beef
Makes delicious leftovers
Easy to customize with your favorite cheeseburger toppings
Ingredients
For the Cheeseburger Casserole
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 can (10.5 oz) cheddar cheese soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup diced dill pickles, optional
For the Topping
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped fresh parsley, optional
Additional diced pickles, optional
How to Make Cheeseburger Casserole
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. Cook the Macaroni
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
Drain the pasta and set it aside. Avoid overcooking the macaroni because it will continue cooking slightly when the casserole goes into the oven.
3. Brown the Ground Beef
While the pasta cooks, add the ground beef and diced onion to a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook until the beef is completely browned and the onion has softened, breaking the meat into small crumbles as it cooks.
Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Season the ground beef with salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until everything is well combined.
4. Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, milk, and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
Stir until the ingredients are thoroughly combined into a creamy cheese mixture.
5. Combine the Casserole
Add the cooked macaroni and seasoned ground beef mixture to the cheese sauce.
If you're using diced dill pickles, add them now.
Gently stir until the pasta and ground beef are evenly coated in the creamy cheddar sauce.
6. Assemble
Transfer the cheeseburger pasta mixture to the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish.
Spread it into an even layer.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
7. Bake
Bake the Cheeseburger Casserole at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbling around the edges and the cheese on top is completely melted.
For a slightly more golden cheese topping, place the casserole under the broiler briefly at the end of baking. Watch it carefully so the cheese doesn't burn.
8. Garnish and Serve
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped parsley and additional diced dill pickles, if desired.
Serve warm.
What Does Cheeseburger Casserole Taste Like?
This casserole has the savory, cheesy flavors you'd expect from a classic cheeseburger combined with creamy baked macaroni.
Ground beef, onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and sharp cheddar provide the main cheeseburger flavor, while sour cream and cheddar cheese soup create a rich sauce that coats the pasta.
Adding dill pickles gives the casserole an extra burger-inspired flavor, but you can leave them out if your family doesn't like pickles.
Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Casserole
Don't overcook the pasta. Cook your macaroni just until al dente since it will continue to soften in the oven.
Drain the ground beef. Removing excess grease prevents the casserole from becoming oily.
Shred your own cheese when possible. Freshly shredded cheddar usually melts more smoothly than packaged pre-shredded cheese.
Use sharp cheddar for more flavor. Sharp or extra-sharp cheddar gives the casserole a stronger cheeseburger flavor.
Let it rest before serving. Allowing the casserole to sit for about five minutes after baking gives the creamy sauce a chance to settle.
Cheeseburger Casserole Variations
Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
Cook several strips of bacon until crispy, crumble them, and stir them into the casserole before baking. Sprinkle additional bacon over the melted cheese before serving.
Pickle Cheeseburger Casserole
Add diced dill pickles to the pasta mixture and garnish the finished casserole with extra pickles.
Spicy Cheeseburger Casserole
Add diced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes, or a splash of hot sauce to the ground beef mixture.
Cheeseburger Casserole With Tomatoes
Stir drained diced tomatoes into the beef and pasta mixture for a tomato-cheeseburger variation.
Extra Cheesy Cheeseburger Casserole
Mix cheddar with Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or mozzarella for an extra gooey cheese pull.
What to Serve With Cheeseburger Casserole
Since this is already a hearty ground beef and pasta dinner, simple sides work best.
Try serving it with:
Green beans
Roasted broccoli
Side salad
Corn
Garlic bread
Roasted vegetables
Coleslaw
For the full cheeseburger experience, you can also set out ketchup, mustard, diced onions, pickles, and other burger toppings and let everyone customize their serving.
Can You Make Cheeseburger Casserole Ahead of Time?
Yes. This ground beef and macaroni casserole can be assembled ahead of time.
Prepare the casserole through the assembly step, cover the baking dish tightly, and refrigerate until you're ready to bake.
Because the casserole will be cold when it goes into the oven, it may require a few additional minutes of baking time.
How to Store Cheeseburger Casserole
Allow leftover casserole to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store Cheeseburger Casserole in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm a larger portion in the oven until heated through.
Can You Freeze Cheeseburger Casserole?
Yes. Cheeseburger Casserole can be frozen, although creamy pasta sauces may change slightly in texture after thawing.
Place cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container and freeze. Thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheeseburger Casserole made of?
Cheeseburger Casserole is made with ground beef, macaroni, cheddar cheese, and a creamy sauce. This version also uses onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, sour cream, milk, and optional dill pickles to create classic cheeseburger-inspired flavors.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes. Small pasta shapes such as shells, rotini, penne, or cavatappi can be substituted for elbow macaroni. Cooking times may vary depending on the pasta you choose.
What cheese is best for Cheeseburger Casserole?
Cheddar is a great choice because of its classic cheeseburger flavor. Sharp cheddar provides more flavor, while mild cheddar creates a milder casserole that may appeal more to kids.
Can I make Cheeseburger Casserole without pickles?
Absolutely. The dill pickles are optional. Leave them out without making any other changes to the recipe.
How long do you bake Cheeseburger Casserole?
Bake the casserole at 375°F for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese topping has completely melted.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey can replace the ground beef for a lighter variation. You may want to add a little extra seasoning since turkey has a milder flavor.
Final Thoughts
This easy Cheeseburger Casserole recipe takes familiar cheeseburger flavors and turns them into a creamy, cheesy pasta dinner.
With seasoned ground beef, elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, and a rich sauce baked together in one casserole dish, it's especially useful when you need a filling family meal without complicated ingredients.
Add pickles for even more cheeseburger flavor, customize it with bacon or your favorite cheese, and save the leftovers for an easy lunch the next day.
More Easy Ground Beef Dinner Ideas
If you're looking for more hearty family dinners, try:
American Chop Suey
Million Dollar Ravioli
One-Skillet Beef Stroganoff Tortellini
Beef and Rice Casserole