Cheeseburger Casserole (Easy One-Pot Dinner)

Looking for a hearty, comforting meal that tastes like a cheeseburger in casserole form?

This easy cheeseburger casserole is just what you need!

With ground beef, cheese, macaroni, and tomatoes, it’s got all the flavors of a cheeseburger baked into a warm, melty casserole.

Cheeseburger Casserole 

Imagine biting into a cheeseburger, but instead, it’s in the form of a heavenly casserole.

That’s what you get with this mouthwatering dish.

It’s made with perfectly seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, macaroni noodles, and a luscious tomato sauce.

The elbow noodles soak up all the meaty, cheesy flavors, making each bite sinfully divine. It’s a true taste extravaganza!

If you have fond memories of Hamburger Helper, this dish is like its gourmet sibling. It’s basically a Cheeseburger Helper with an elevated twist. 

Perfect for busy weeknights, this casserole is a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying meal.

Ingredients 

• Ground beef: Opt for quality ground beef with some fat content for a flavorful casserole base.
• Onions: Use diced white or yellow onions. Chop them up into small, bite-sized pieces for even cooking and easy eating.
• Canned diced tomatoes with herbs: It gives the casserole a rich tomato flavor and subtle herbaceous notes. It perfectly complements the beef and cheese.
• Elbow macaroni: For a classic, hearty base. Cook it to al dente and drain it well before assembling.
• Corn kernels: To brighten the dish and add some sweetness and crunch.
• Green bell pepper: It lends a refreshing crunch and a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
• Garlic: It contributes an aromatic depth of flavor.
• Seasonings: Combining soy sauce, chili powder, Italian seasoning, and ground black pepper creates a harmonious blend and seasons the casserole perfectly.
• Shredded Mexican cheese blend: For a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a flavorful glue to bind the casserole together.

How to Make Cheeseburger Casserole

As the name suggests, this is a baked pasta dish. But don’t worry, the prep is super quick.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Cook the beef and onions. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon and keep stirring until it’s evenly browned.

3. Add the rest of the ingredients. That’s the tomatoes and liquid, macaroni noodles, corn kernels, chopped bell pepper, and spices. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat.

4. Assemble the cheeseburger casserole. Pour half of the beef mixture into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle it with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Repeat.

5. Bake the casserole. Cover the dish with foil and bake it for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 15 more minutes.

Serve it and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

This casserole is incredibly flexible. You can create a dish that caters to the tastes and preferences of your entire family.

• Use taco seasoning instead of Italian seasoning. This flavor pairs exceptionally well with Mexican cheese!
• Shred your own cheese. It’s more work, but it yields meltier cheese!
  • For reference, a Mexican cheese blend is a mix of Monterey Jack, cheddar, Asadero, and Queso Quesadilla cheeses. 
• Experiment with other cheeses. Opt for mild or sharp orange Cheddar instead of extra sharp or aged cheeses. I highly recommend sharp Cheddar, Provolone, and Mozzarella.
• Try other pasta shells. Elbow macaroni is a classic choice, but rotini or mini shells work well, too. Check the package if you’re using alternative pasta, as cooking times may vary.
• Replace beef with other ground meats. You can’t go wrong with turkey or pork.
• Spice it up with salsa. Or hot sauce. Or sriracha.
• Transform the casserole into a Bacon Cheeseburger Helper. Just add chopped-up bacon to the beef mixture. You can top the casserole with bacon crumbles, too.

What to Serve with Cheeseburger Casserole

This cheeseburger casserole is a complete dinner on its own. If you want an even heartier meal, here are some fantastic sides to pair with it: 

Paula Deen’s Broccoli Salad
Mayonnaise Biscuits
Cracker Barrel Glazed Baby Carrots
Texas Roadhouse Rolls
1905 Salad

Make-Ahead Tips

This casserole is also a great make-ahead dish. You can double the recipe and serve the second batch some other time!

To make it ahead, cook the beef mixture and macaroni and store them separately. Refrigerate them for up to 2 days. Then, assemble the casserole according to the recipe, bake it, and attack it.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating

To Store

Allow your cheeseburger casserole to cool completely before storing. Cover the dish with foil or plastic wrap. Transfer the casserole to an air-tight container. Refrigerate it for up to 3 to 4 days.

To Freeze

Allow the cheeseburger casserole to cool completely before freezing it. Store the dish in a freezer-safe airtight container. Freeze it for up to 6 months.

To Reheat

Either microwave the casserole or reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until it’s warmed through.

Cheeseburger Casserole (Easy One-Pot Dinner)

Course: Main Course, CasseroleCuisine: American

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

25

minutes

Cooking time

55

minutes

Calories

449

kcal

This cheeseburger casserole is an easy one-pot meal! Made with ground beef, macaroni, and lots of cheese, it’s a true dinner winner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef

• 2 medium onions, chopped

• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with herbs, undrained

• 1/2 cup water, more if needed

• 2 cups elbow macaroni

• 1 cup frozen corn kernels

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped

• 2 tablespoons minced garlic

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• Ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
• Combine and cook the ground beef and onions in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Continue for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the beef has browned and the onions are translucent. Drain.
• Drain the tomatoes and pour them into a 4-cup liquid measuring glass. Add water to make 2 1/2 cups of liquid.
• Add the tomatoes plus the liquid, macaroni, corn, bell pepper, garlic, soy sauce, chili powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper to the beef mixture. Bring it to a boil.
• Pour half of the beef mixture into the greased baking dish. Cover with 1 cup of cheese. Repeat with the remaining beef and cheese. 
• Cover the dish with foil and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes and remove the foil. Then bake for another 15 minutes, or until the macaroni is al dente. Let it cool for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

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