The Ultimate Cozy Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe You’ll Love

Cheeseburger casserole crafts classic fast-food flavors into a comforting, hearty meal that bridges restaurant cravings with home-cooked satisfaction.

Nostalgic and crowd-pleasing, this dish captures the essence of everyone’s favorite handheld sandwich in a convenient baked format.

Layers of savory ground beef meld seamlessly with melted cheese and tender pasta, creating a memorable dining experience.

Rich, indulgent ingredients come together in a single pan, making preparation and cleanup remarkably simple.

Family-friendly and adaptable, this recipe works brilliantly for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings with friends.

Hearty portions and bold flavors ensure no one leaves the table hungry or disappointed.

The combination of familiar ingredients promises a guaranteed smile from both kids and adults.

Tips That Make Cheeseburger Casserole Better

• Meat Mastery: Brown ground beef thoroughly to ensure maximum flavor and prevent any raw or chewy texture.
• Seasoning Secrets: Use fresh herbs and adjust Worcestershire sauce to enhance the depth of taste in your casserole.
• Noodle Know-How: Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a perfect texture when baked.
• Cheese Charm: Shred cheese fresh for better melting and a creamier, more luxurious topping.
• Baking Brilliance: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow flavors to settle and make serving easier.

Best Practices for Saving Cheeseburger Casserole

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Store the cheeseburger casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Preserve the delicious flavors by ensuring the container is tightly closed.
• Freezing Option: Want to save your meal for later? Wrap the casserole securely in freezer-safe plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Frozen casserole maintains its quality for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating Method: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For oven reheating, cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated completely.

What Complements Cheeseburger Casserole Best

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: A robust Cabernet Sauvignon cuts through the casserole's richness, complementing the hearty beef and tangy tomato flavors with its full-bodied character.
• Serve with Crisp Garden Salad: A light, fresh salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy casserole.
• Match with Craft Beer: A hoppy American IPA or amber ale enhances the meaty, cheesy notes with its bold, malty undertones, creating a satisfying flavor combination.
• Cool Down with Chilled Coleslaw: A creamy, crunchy coleslaw adds a tangy and cool element that balances the casserole's rich, warm texture and complements its savory profile.

Fresh Variations on Cheeseburger Casserole Ideas

• Spicy Southwestern Spin: Replace Worcestershire sauce with salsa, add diced green chilies, and top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Bacon Cheeseburger Edition: Crisp and crumble bacon into the meat mixture, use sharp cheddar cheese, and sprinkle bacon bits on top before baking.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Swap ground beef for ground lamb, add crumbled feta cheese, diced olives, and dried oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Veggie Loaded Version: Mix in sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions with the ground beef, use whole wheat noodles, and add a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese for extra nutrition.

Why Cheeseburger Casserole Is a Family Favorite

• Savor Meaty Comfort: This cheeseburger casserole delivers a hearty, one-pan meal that combines the classic burger flavors with easy pasta goodness. Ground beef meets zesty tomatoes and melted cheese for a delicious dinner solution.
• Quick and Effortless Cooking: Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe requires minimal prep and cooking skills. From browning meat to boiling noodles, each step is straightforward and takes less than 45 minutes total.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults alike will love the familiar cheeseburger taste transformed into a comforting casserole. The blend of protein, pasta, and cheesy topping creates a satisfying meal that appeals to everyone at the dinner table.
• Versatile Weeknight Wonder: Adaptable to various preferences, this dish can be customized with different cheese types or added vegetables. It's an excellent option for feeding a hungry family or preparing simple meal prep for the week.

Everything You Need for Cheeseburger Casserole

• Ground Beef: Lean protein that forms the hearty base of the casserole, best when freshly ground with moderate fat content.
• Cheese: Melty topping that adds richness and creates a golden, bubbly surface for the casserole.

• Noodles: Classic pasta that provides a comforting base and absorbs the flavorful sauce.
• Tomatoes: Juicy ingredient that creates a tangy sauce and adds moisture to the dish.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Umami-rich condiment that deepens the savory flavor profile.
• Oregano: Aromatic herb that brings a subtle Mediterranean touch to the casserole.
• Lawry's Salt: Seasoned salt blend that enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Black Pepper: Warm spice that adds a gentle heat and rounds out the seasoning.

• Cooking Spray: Prevents sticking and helps with easy dish release.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning the pasta water and balancing flavors.

How to Whip Up Cheeseburger Casserole Quickly

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F to get things started.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Grab a large skillet and cook the ground beef over medium heat. Break up those meaty chunks as it sizzles, cooking until no pink remains.

Step 3: Create the Savory Sauce

• Tomatoes with juice
• Worcestershire sauce
• Oregano
• Lawry's salt
• Pepper

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then dial down the heat. Let it simmer for 15 minutes, letting the flavors mingle and dance.

Step 4: Prepare the Noodles

Fill a medium pot halfway with water. Sprinkle in of salt and bring to a bubbling boil. Toss in the noodles and cook for 8 minutes until they’re tender and perfect.

Step 5: Combine Noodles and Meat

Drain the noodles, then return them to the pot. Pour the tomato mixture over the noodles and stir until everything is beautifully blended.

Step 6: Assemble the Casserole

Spray an 8×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer the noodle and meat mixture into the dish. Generously sprinkle cheese on top.

Step 7: Bake to Cheesy Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Watch the cheese melt into gooey deliciousness.

Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Cheeseburger Casserole brings classic American comfort to dinner tables with ground beef, melted cheese, and crispy tater tots. Satisfying flavors combine in one delicious dish that promises to please family and friends around the dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) ground beef

Cheese:

• 2 cups (473 milliliters) sharp cheddar, grated

Noodles and Tomatoes:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) wide egg noodles
• 1 can (29 ounces / 822 grams) diced tomatoes with juice

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) dried oregano
• 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) Lawry’s seasoning salt
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) pepper

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C), preparing a clean cooking surface for the casserole preparation.
2. In a large skillet, thoroughly cook ground beef over medium heat, continuously breaking down meat chunks until no pink remains and the beef is evenly browned.
3. Add diced tomatoes with their natural juice, Worcestershire sauce, dried oregano, Lawry’s seasoned salt, and ground black pepper to the browned meat. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce temperature and allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 15 minutes, developing rich flavor profiles.
4. Simultaneously, fill a medium-sized pot halfway with water, adding of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil and carefully introduce the noodles, cooking for roughly 8 minutes until they reach a tender, al dente consistency.
5. Drain the cooked noodles completely, then return them to the original pot. Pour the seasoned meat and tomato mixture over the noodles, gently stirring to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
6. Lightly coat an 8×13 inch (20×33 centimeters) baking dish with cooking spray, then transfer the noodle and meat mixture into the prepared dish.
7. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the top of the casserole, creating an even coverage.
8. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and develops a light golden color.

Notes

• Sizzle ground beef thoroughly to eliminate any pink color, ensuring food safety and rich flavor.
• Choose lean ground beef to minimize excess grease and create a cleaner, healthier casserole.
• Simmer tomato mixture allows herbs and spices to develop deep, robust taste throughout the dish.
• Cook noodles al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain a perfect pasta consistency.
• Generously sprinkle cheese across the top for a golden, melty, irresistible finish that adds creamy richness.
• Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg