This easy cheeseburger casserole recipe is a 10/10 family hit. Quick, SO simple to make and everyone loves it!
I’ll have a cheeseburger. But make mine… casserole 🧀✨
Seriously guys, this recipe reminds me of the ground beef casserole recipes that I grew up with in the 90s.
This creamy version of my favorite Hamburger Casserole recipe features tender macaroni, savory ground beef, and a rich sauce made with tomato paste, beef broth, and cream cheese, topped with melted cheddar.
Made with all the cheeseburger flavors you love, it comes out the oven topped with a bubbling, golden cheesy topping. I’m obsessed with ground beef recipes that are quick to make and satisfying to the soul.
Is this TOTAL comfort food for you, too?
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Hamburger Casserole Recipe
Move into your comfort food era with this cheesy burger bake; here’s what to love about it:
- Family-friendly: Kids and adults will fall for the cheeseburger flavor in this dish. It has a nostalgic vibe of homemade hamburger helper, but SOOO much better. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy families.
- Make-ahead option: Prepare the casserole and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.
- One-pan: No one wants a load of dishes to content with midweek. This is a low-mess, low-fuss recipe. (Related: Ground Beef One Pot Pasta Recipe)
- Great for leftovers: Any leftovers can be stored and reheated for a quick and delicious meal later on in the week.
Here’s What You Need
Ready to make your cheeseburger casserole? Round-up these ingredients:
Cheeseburger Casserole Ingredients
Here are those classic cheeseburger ingredients:
- Ground beef: Choose lean ground beef – you can also substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Onion: Use any color onion.
- Minced garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides the best flavor, but if unavailable, you can use pre-minced garlic.
- Kosher salt and pepper: I love Kosher salt for its clean taste and ease of measurement.
- Paprika: Great for that smoky flavor and a touch of color.
- Tomato paste: Adds depth of flavor and richness to the casserole. Not to be skipped!
- Beef broth: You can also use vegetable broth as a substitute.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds creaminess and richness to the casserole. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easier incorporation into the dish.
- Dry macaroni: Choose a short pasta shape like elbow macaroni or rotini for easy eating. Cook according to package instructions until al dente before adding to the casserole.
- Grated cheddar cheese: Use freshly grated cheese for superior meltability and flavor. Sharp cheddar adds a nice tang, but mild or medium cheddar works well too.
Substitutions and Variations
Switch this cheeseburger casserole up a bit; here’s how:
- Vegetarian option: Switch the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
- Bacon cheeseburger casserole: Take it to another level by adding diced bacon.
- Different cheese: Experiment with different types of cheese like mozzarella, pepper jack, or Swiss.
- Gluten-free version: Use gluten-free pasta or substitute with cooked quinoa or cauliflower rice for a gluten-free alternative.
Tools to Grab
Here are the tools and equipment you’ll need to make this recipe:
- Large pot: To boil the pasta in.
- Colander: To drain the pasta.
- Saucepan or skillet: To cook the meat in.
- Spoon: To stir while cooking.
- Large baking dish: To bake the casserole in.
How to Make A Cheeseburger Casserole: An Easy Guide
Let’s get into how to make this cheeseburger casserole:
Prep Steps
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, boil salted water in a large pot. Add the macaroni and cook it according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Cook the Beef
Cook the ground beef with the onion, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
Next, break up the beef with a spoon as it cooks. I like to leave larger chunks.
Cook the beef, stirring frequently, until it is cooked through and the onion is soft.
Finish the Sauce
To the beef, add the tomato paste. Next, cook it until it turns a shade darker and smells toasty. Add in the beef broth and stir it. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
Reduce the heat to a low temperature. Then, stir in the cream cheese until it is smooth. Lastly, whisk in 2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and let it melt.
Assemble the Cheeseburger Casserole and Bake
The last step is to stir in the cooked macaroni and transfer the mixture to a large baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top.
Bake it for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and browning.
Make Ahead and Storage
This is a great make ahead recipe. Here’s what to do and how to store it to enjoy later:
Make Ahead
This cheeseburger casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
Simply cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the fridge until ready to bake.
This is a great option for meal prep or for preparing ahead of a busy weeknight.
Storing Cheeseburger Casserole
Leftover cheeseburger casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring it to the container.
When reheating, you can warm individual servings in the microwave or reheat the entire casserole in the oven until heated through.
For longer storage, you can freeze the assembled, unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. Wrap the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or transfer it to a freezer-safe container.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight before baking according to the original instructions. Once baked, leftovers can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Final Notes, Pro Tips + Science-Based Secrets
Here are some secret food scientist-based tips and notes:
- Emulsification: The addition of cream cheese to the casserole helps to create a creamy and cohesive texture. Cream cheese contains emulsifiers, which help to bind the ingredients together and prevent separation during baking.
- Cheese meltability: You’ll get best results by grating your own cheddar. This ensures a smooth and creamy texture in the finished casserole. These cheeses contain proteins that melt easily when heated, resulting in a gooey and irresistible cheese layer on top of the casserole.
FAQs About Cheeseburger Casserole
Just skimming through? Don’t missed these common queries:
Yes, you can use different pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or farfalle. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions .
Absolutely! You can assemble the cheeseburger casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
Yes, you can freeze leftover cheeseburger casserole for up to 3 months. Be sure to store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
To reheat leftover casserole, you can either microwave individual servings for a quick meal or reheat the entire casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
Covering the dish with aluminum foil helps prevent the top from drying out.
More Cozy Beef Recipes You’ll Love
Want more comforting beef recipes? Here are my top recipes:
- Beef Pot Pie with golden flaky crust
- Chili Con Carne recipe with ground beef
- Old Fashioned Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe
- Traditional Beef Taco recipe
- The best Meatloaf recipe
- You’ll love this golden Roast Beef Crust on this beautiful roast
- Air Fryer Roast Beef
Cheeseburger Casserole (Quick + Easy Recipe!)
Video
Ingredients
- 8 oz dry macaroni will be about 4 cups cooked
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups finely-chopped onion from 1 large onion
- 1 tbsp minced garlic from 3 large cloves
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- 1 5.5- oz can tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese divided use
Instructions
Prep Steps
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions or until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Beef
- While the macaroni cooks, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef with the onion, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne. Break up the beef a bit with a spoon as it cooks. Cook, stirring frequently, until beef is cooked through and onion is soft.
Finish the Sauce
- Add the tomato paste; cook until it turns a shade darker and smells toasty.
- Add beef broth to the large skillet. Stir to combine and simmer for a few minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream cheese until smooth.
- Turn off the burner then stir in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Assemble and Bake
- Stir in the cooked macaroni and transfer the mixture to a 9×9" (or similar size) baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was so easy to put together and the family enjoyed it. Kid approved and he usually doesn’t like onions and he had two bowls back to back. Thank you for sharing this quick meal that makes everyone happy.
Made this for dinner last night, and it was loved by the whole family! The flavors are spot on.
Such a comforting and hearty meal. The cheeseburger casserole was a hit at our home!
Made this for dinner last night. It was a major hit! Easy and delicious.
if this casserole was a movie, it’d win an oscar! too tasty
my husband loved this dish! says it reminds him of his mom’s cooking 🙂
That’s weird
Tried this with ground turkey and low-fat cheese for a healthier twist. Turned out great!
Just made this casserole, and it’s absolutely delish! Perfect for my busy schedule.
can i use microwave for this?
It’s best in the oven for the crispy top, microwave won’t do that.
love finding new dinner ideas, this casserole was a hit!