Cheeseburger Casserole

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This Cheeseburger Casserole has everything you love about a juicy cheeseburger tucked into a cozy, cheesy pasta bake. It’s packed with seasoned ground beef, a creamy cheddar sauce, tomatoes, and plenty of melty cheese, then finished with classic burger toppings like diced pickles, tomatoes, and green onions if you’re feeling fancy.

cheeseburger casserole

Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

Cheeseburger Casserole

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It’s one of those easy dinners that everyone at the table is happy to see, and it’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crowd without spending all evening in the kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If your family loves cheeseburgers and pasta, this casserole is going to become a regular in your dinner rotation. It has all the familiar flavors of a classic cheeseburger in an easy, oven-baked meal that comes together with simple pantry ingredients.

The creamy cheese sauce keeps every bite rich and satisfying, while the pasta stretches a pound of ground beef into a meal that feeds eight people. And if you add the fresh tomatoes, crunchy pickles, and green onions on top, it really does taste like a cheeseburger in casserole form.

cheeseburger casserole ingredients

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Dry pasta
  • Ground beef
  • Yellow onion, Garlic
  • Beef broth
  • Petite diced tomatoes, Tomato paste
  • Worcestershire sauce, Yellow mustard
  • Cheddar cheese soup, Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Optional toppings: Diced tomatoes, dill pickles, green onions

Step By Step Directions

  1. Start by cooking the pasta just until al dente. Since it will continue cooking in the oven, you don’t want it completely soft.
  2. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef with the diced onion and garlic until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are tender. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
  3. Stir in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Bring everything to a boil, then remove the skillet from the heat.
  4. Mix in the cheddar cheese soup and sour cream until smooth, then fold in the cooked pasta.
  5. Transfer everything to a greased 9×13 baking dish and bake until hot and bubbly. Add the shredded cheddar during the last 10 minutes so it melts into a gooey, cheesy topping.
  6. Finish with chopped tomatoes, diced pickles, and green onions if you’d like that classic cheeseburger flavor.
how to make cheeseburger casserole

Tips for the best cheeseburger casserole

Don’t overcook the pasta before baking or it can become too soft.

Freshly shredded cheese melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.

Drain excess grease from the beef so the casserole doesn’t become oily.

Let the casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving so it slices more easily.

The pickles might sound unusual, but they really do make it taste like a cheeseburger!

cheeseburger pasta casserole

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven.

You can also freeze the fully baked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Other Awesome Casserole Recipes

easy cheeseburger casserole recipe

How to Make Cheeseburger Casserole

easy cheeseburger casserole recipe

Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

Created by: April Woods

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
8
This easy Cheeseburger Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, creamy cheddar sauce, and plenty of melted cheese for a comforting family dinner that tastes just like your favorite cheeseburger.
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Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Colander

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups dry pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • 1 can petite diced tomatoes, undrained (14.5 ounces)
  • 1 can tomato paste (6 ounces)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 can cheddar cheese soup (10.5 ounces)
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Optional Toppings

  • diced tomatoes
  • diced hamburger dill pickles
  • chopped green onions

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is cooked through and the onions are tender. Drain excess grease if necessary.
  • Stir in the beef broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat.
  • Stir in the cheddar cheese soup and sour cream until smooth. Fold in the cooked pasta until evenly coated.
  • Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly over the top, and return to the oven for 10 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbling.
  • Top with diced tomatoes, dill pickles, and chopped green onions if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Calories and nutritional data are automatically generated. For best results calculate based on your exact ingredients.
Recipe Notes:
  • Cook the pasta just to al dente so it doesn’t become mushy while baking.
  • Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than bagged shredded cheese.
  • Add cooked bacon for an easy bacon cheeseburger casserole.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta, gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, and verify your condensed cheddar soup is gluten-free.

Nutrition

Calories: 470kcal
easy cheeseburger casserole recipe

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More Awesome Ground Beef Recipes

cheesy hamburger casserole

Variations

This recipe is easy to customize based on what your family likes.

  • Sprinkle crushed French fried onions on top during the last few minutes of baking for extra crunch.
  • Add cooked bacon for a bacon cheeseburger version.
  • Stir in diced or pickled jalapeños for some heat.
  • Swap the cheddar for pepper jack, Colby Jack, or Monterey Jack cheese.
  • Add sautéed mushrooms for a mushroom Swiss-inspired casserole.
  • Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option.

What to serve with cheeseburger casserole

Since this casserole is hearty on its own, I like pairing it with lighter sides.

Some favorites include: marinated tomatoes, roasted broccoli, roasted green beans, green goddess salad, garlic bread, quick yeast dinner rolls, coleslaw

best cheeseburger casserole

Frequently asked questions

What is the best pasta for cheeseburger casserole?

Short pasta shapes like rotini, shells, penne, elbow macaroni, or cavatappi all work well because they hold onto the cheesy sauce.

Can I make cheeseburger casserole ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the casserole up to one day ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if baking straight from the refrigerator.

Can I freeze cheeseburger casserole?

Absolutely. Wrap the baked (or unbaked) casserole tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking or reheating.

Why add mustard and Worcestershire sauce?

These two ingredients are the secret to that unmistakable cheeseburger flavor. They add tanginess and savory depth without making the casserole taste overly mustardy.

What toppings go well on cheeseburger casserole?

Fresh diced tomatoes, chopped dill pickles, and sliced green onions give this casserole the full cheeseburger experience. Crispy bacon, shredded lettuce (added after baking), or a drizzle of burger sauce are also delicious.

easy cheeseburger casserole

Final thoughts

When you need a dinner that’s comforting, filling, and guaranteed to disappear fast, this Cheeseburger Casserole checks every box. It’s cheesy, hearty, family-friendly, and full of classic burger flavor in every bite.

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