Homemade Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe: Crowd-Pleasing Comfort

Crafting a mouthwatering cheeseburger casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table.

Familiar flavors merge into one delightful dish that promises hearty satisfaction.

Layers of seasoned ground beef blend seamlessly with melted cheese and tender pasta.

Weeknight meals rarely feel this exciting or simple to prepare.

Each bite captures the classic burger experience without firing up the grill.

Crispy edges and creamy center make this recipe a crowd-pleasing champion.

Dig in and savor every delicious, cheesy moment of this culinary adventure.

Why Cheeseburger Casserole Is a Family Favorite Dinner

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Transforms classic cheeseburger flavors into a hearty, satisfying casserole that brings everyone together around the dinner table.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Requires simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, making it perfect for busy families and home cooks of all skill levels.
• Kid-Friendly Meal Solution: Combines pasta, ground beef, and cheese into a delicious one-dish wonder that appeals to both children and adults, eliminating mealtime battles.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Hero: Delivers a complete meal in under an hour, with most of the cooking time spent hands-off in the oven, allowing you to relax while dinner prepares itself.

Ingredients Needed for Cheeseburger Casserole

• Ground Beef: A savory meat that provides rich flavor and protein for the casserole.

• Pasta Shells: A curved pasta shape that helps capture and hold the creamy sauce and beef.

• Shredded Cheese: A melty ingredient that adds creaminess and a golden topping to the casserole.

• Tomato Soup, Pasta Water: These ingredients create a smooth, creamy base that binds the casserole together and enhances overall moisture.

• Aluminum Foil: A cover that helps trap moisture during initial baking.

• Skillet, Large Mixing Bowl, Baking Dish: Essential cooking tools for preparing and assembling the casserole.

Step-by-Step Cheeseburger Casserole Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Cook Pasta

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook ground beef until it’s completely browned and no pink remains. Simultaneously, prepare pasta shells according to package directions, setting aside a small amount of pasta water for later use.

Step 2: Mix Delicious Ingredients

• Shredded cheese (about half the total amount)
• Reserved pasta water

Stir everything together to create a creamy, mouthwatering mixture.

Step 3: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the beef and pasta mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.

Step 4: Initial Baking

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place in a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Add Cheesy Topping

Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the casserole. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is perfectly melted and golden.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Pull the bubbling, cheesy casserole from the oven and serve immediately while hot and delicious.

Tips for Making the Best Cheeseburger Casserole

• Save extra pasta water to adjust the sauce's consistency, ensuring a creamy and smooth texture throughout the casserole.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or pepper jack for added flavor complexity and personalized taste.
• Consider using whole wheat pasta to boost nutritional value and create a healthier version of this comfort food classic.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and make weeknight dinner preparation faster and easier.
• Add diced onions or bell peppers to the ground beef while cooking to enhance the overall flavor profile and introduce extra vegetables.

Flavor Variations for Cheeseburger Casserole

• Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole: Crisp and crumble bacon pieces into the beef mixture, adding smoky flavor and extra crunch to the classic recipe.
• Mexican Fiesta Cheeseburger Casserole: Mix in diced jalapeños, taco seasoning, and top with crushed tortilla chips for a spicy southwestern kick.
• Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet: Skip the baking and prepare the entire dish in one skillet, creating a faster and more streamlined one-pan meal.
• Veggie-Loaded Cheeseburger Casserole: Incorporate diced bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms into the beef mixture for added nutrition and depth of flavor.

Pairing Suggestions for Cheeseburger Casserole

• Elevate Flavor Pairings
• Refresh with Crisp Green Salad: Toss a light, tangy salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a zesty vinaigrette to cut through the casserole's richness.
• Complement with Hoppy Craft Beer: Select an amber ale or IPA that balances the hearty, cheesy flavors with its refreshing bitterness and carbonation.
• Match with Crunchy Garlic Bread: Serve warm, buttery garlic bread on the side to soak up the creamy sauce and add a satisfying textural contrast.
• Cool Down with Chilled Coleslaw: Prepare a creamy, slightly sweet coleslaw that provides a cool, crunchy counterpoint to the warm, cheesy casserole.

Storage Recommendations for Cheeseburger Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer casserole to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2-3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place casserole in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, checking internal temperature reaches 165F.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.

FAQs About Cheeseburger Casserole

• Why use shells pasta for this recipe?

Shells have unique cup-like shape that perfectly captures the beef and sauce, ensuring each bite has maximum flavor and creamy texture.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner protein alternative that works perfectly in this casserole and provides similar delicious results.

• How do I prevent the casserole from becoming dry?

Adding some reserved pasta water helps create a creamy consistency and keeps the dish moist during baking, preventing any potential dryness.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, this cheeseburger casserole is a classic comfort food that most children love, with its cheesy, meaty, and pasta-based components making it a crowd-pleasing meal.

Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets convenience in this irresistible Cheeseburger Casserole that brings classic burger flavors to a hearty family-friendly dish. Melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and crispy bread crumbs create a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Dairy:

• 3 cups shredded cheese (any kind)

Pantry Ingredients:

• 2 cans (10.5 ounces/298 grams each) tomato soup
• 1 pound (454 grams) shells pasta (or any pasta of your choice)

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Instructions

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until no pink remains, breaking meat into small crumbles.
2. Simultaneously cook pasta shells in boiling water, draining while reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water for later use.
3. In a large mixing bowl, blend cooked ground beef, drained pasta shells, and tomato soup until evenly combined.
4. Incorporate approximately half of the shredded cheese into the mixture, stirring gently to distribute ingredients thoroughly.
5. Add reserved pasta water to create a smooth, creamy consistency that helps bind all ingredients together.
6. Grease a baking dish and carefully transfer the beef and pasta mixture, spreading evenly across the surface.
7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes, ensuring ingredients are heated through.
8. Remove foil and sprinkle remaining cheese over the top of the casserole.
9. Return to oven, baking uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden-brown surface.
10. Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help set the dish and enhance flavor melding.

Notes

• Customize the protein by swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
• Enhance creaminess by adding a splash of heavy cream or sour cream to the beef and pasta mixture for extra richness.
• Control sodium levels by using low-sodium tomato soup and reducing added salt during cooking to make the dish more heart-healthy.
• Boost nutrition by mixing in chopped spinach or diced bell peppers to increase vegetable content without compromising the classic comfort food flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 690
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg