Cheeseburger Casserole

Like all good cheeseburger casserole recipes, this cheeseburger macaroni casserole features the traditional flavors of a cheeseburger—ground beef, melty cheddar cheese and zesty dill pickles. The best part? It includes noodles! Think of this recipe as a homemade spin on the Hamburger Helper you grew up eating.

Our cheeseburger casserole recipe starts with ground beef and a skillet. We cook the meat with onions and garlic, then mix in pantry seasonings, broth, milk, crushed tomatoes and elbow macaroni. And you don’t need to boil the macaroni separately—it gets added to the skillet and baked until tender. This cheesy, meaty one-pot baked pasta dish is a satisfying meal sure to be loved by both kids and kids at heart.

Cheeseburger Casserole Ingredients

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• Butter: To cook the beef, we use melted butter, which enhances the flavor and adds extra richness to the meat. You could also cook the beef and onion in canola or olive oil.
• Ground beef: Ground beef makes this casserole taste just like a burger recipe. For less grease in the casserole, use 90/10 beef.
• Onion: The onion is cooked with the beef, infusing the meat with a savory flavor.
• Garlic: Like onion, minced garlic adds savoriness and a delicious aroma.
• Tomato paste: Canned or tubed tomato paste will work in this recipe. Tomato paste adds a deep, concentrated tomato flavor to the sauce.
• Spices: We season the cheeseburger macaroni casserole with dried parsley flakes, dried oregano, salt and ground black pepper to replicate the flavor of boxed Hamburger Helper.
• Pasta: Cheeseburger casserole recipes are typically made with elbow macaroni since it’s bite-sized and quick-cooking. You can swap in another small pasta shape if desired.
• Beef broth: Beef broth flavors the sauce and provides the liquid that the pasta will absorb as it cooks. We use reduced-sodium broth to control the amount of salt in the recipe.
• Milk: A cup of milk makes the tomato sauce creamy. The recipe calls for 2% milk, but you can also use whole milk for a richer flavor.
• Crushed tomatoes: You’ll need a 15-ounce can of crushed tomatoes to create the tomato-based sauce.
• Worcestershire sauce: This pantry staple contains salty, sour, sweet and savory ingredients to add a complex umami flavor and make beef recipes taste beefier.
• Dill pickle relish: Stirring a scoop of tangy dill pickle relish into the casserole toward the end of the cooking time adds a major cheeseburger flavor. If you don’t like pickles or “special sauce” on burgers, you can skip the relish without affecting the finished dish.
• Shredded cheese: No cheeseburger is complete without cheese! We stir shredded cheddar into the beef and macaroni mixture and also sprinkle it on top for loads of cheesy flavor and melty goodness. If you have time, shred a block of cheese for better flavor and melting.

Directions

Step 1: Brown the beef

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Break the beef into crumbles and cook until no pink remains, five to six minutes.

Step 2: Combine the remaining ingredient

Add the garlic, tomato paste, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper to the beef mixture. Cook for one minute longer. Then, stir in the elbow macaroni, beef broth, milk, crushed tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce.

Step 3: Bake the casserole

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Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes until the pasta is al dente. Stir in the pickle relish and 2 cups shredded cheese. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheese on top of the casserole. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about five minutes longer.

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Cheeseburger Casserole Variations

• Make it with poultry: Use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef for a lighter, still protein-packed version.
• Increase the veggies: Cook chopped bell peppers, mushrooms or spinach with the meat and onion. Before baking, you could also stir a cup of frozen peas into the macaroni mixture.
• Include some spice: There are a few ways to give this cheeseburger casserole recipe some kick. Season the meat mixture with cayenne or red pepper flakes, or stir a can of drained green chiles into the casserole before baking.
• Add a topping: Sprinkle the casserole with chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color. Or, serve the casserole with traditional burger toppings like crispy crumbled bacon, pickle chips, chopped onion and chopped tomato so everyone can customize their plate.
• Try a taco cheeseburger casserole: Replace the spices with a packet of taco seasoning and omit the pickle relish for a cheeseburger casserole with a Tex-Mex twist.

How to Store Cheeseburger Casserole

After cooling, store the cheeseburger casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat the casserole in the microwave or a 350° oven until the internal temperature reaches 165° on a digital food thermometer.

Can you freeze cheeseburger casserole?

Cheeseburger casserole makes a great freezer meal. If you want to freeze the entire casserole, try baking it in a disposable pan. Cook the ground beef and onion on the stovetop as directed, then transfer the mixture to the disposable pan and add the remaining ingredients. Bake the casserole, let it cool completely and cover it tightly with storage wrap. Store it in the freezer for up to three months, and thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Cheeseburger Casserole Tips

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What’s the best type of pasta to use?

This cheeseburger casserole recipe is made with elbow macaroni, but most small or medium-sized pasta shapes will also work. If you don’t have macaroni, try small or medium shells, orecchiette, gemelli, fusilli or those fun little wagon wheels known as rotelle.

Can you make cheeseburger casserole gluten-free?

Yes! To make a gluten-free cheeseburger casserole, use gluten-free pasta instead of wheat pasta. Gluten-free elbow macaroni made from chickpeas, lentils or brown rice is readily available at most grocery stores. Make sure your Worcestershire sauce and pickle relish are labeled gluten-free as well.

What sides go with cheeseburger macaroni casserole?

Serve cheeseburger casserole recipes with a non-starchy vegetable to help balance the casserole’s rich flavor and creamy texture. Try a stovetop broccoli cauliflower combo or one of these fresh side salads.

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This comforting casserole combines the best elements of a cheeseburger, including the cheese and toppings. The best part? It’s all made in one pot! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen