Nothing beats comfort food that feels like a warm hug, and this Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe does just that—it's like all the best parts of a cheeseburger packed into one cozy, cheesy dish. It’s super simple to make, and you’ll love how that rich cheddar melts into every bite.

The image shows a large round white pot with an orange handle filled with macaroni pasta mixed with browned ground meat and melted bright yellow cheese on top, creating a slightly crispy texture with some darker browned spots. Small pieces of green herbs are sprinkled over the pasta for garnish. A spoon lifts a portion of the cheesy mixture, showing melted cheese stretching in thin strings between the pot and the spoon. The pot sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can't get over how this Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe turns two favorite flavors—ground beef and cheddar cheese—into a quick, satisfying one-pot meal. It’s a brilliant way to feed a crowd or get dinner on the table fast without sacrificing flavor.

One-Pot Convenience: You cook everything in just one skillet or Dutch oven, which means fewer dishes to clean and less stress.
Flavor-Packed: The combination of tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and sharp cheddar makes each bite rich and savory, much better than your average casserole.
Comfort Food at Its Best: It’s creamy, cheesy, and has that classic cheeseburger vibe that everyone appreciates, especially on chilly nights.
Customizable: It’s easy to swap ingredients or add your favorites, making it perfect to tweak for your family’s tastes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe pulls its weight, creating layers of texture and flavor that feel familiar yet totally irresistible. Here’s why each one matters and a few tips for picking the best versions.

Flat lay of a small diced half medium yellow onion, a mound of shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese, a small white ceramic bowl with golden olive oil, a portion of raw lean ground beef, a small white ceramic bowl containing granulated garlic powder, a small white ceramic bowl with coarse kosher salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl holding freshly ground black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl with thick red tomato paste, a small white ceramic bowl with dark Worcestershire sauce, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with rich beef broth, a simple white ceramic bowl of diced ripe red tomatoes with juices, a portion of uncooked elbow macaroni pasta, and a few sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and a subtle bite; I like dicing it finely so it softens beautifully without overpowering the beef.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The star cheese here—choose a good-quality yellow sharp cheddar for that tangy, melty goodness that makes this dish sing.
Olive Oil: For sautéing, but don’t overdo it—you just need enough to gently cook the onions and brown the beef.
Lean Ground Beef: The hearty protein base; lean beef keeps the casserole from getting greasy while still delivering a meaty flavor.
Granulated Garlic: A simple way to build savory depth without needing fresh garlic.
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Seasoning is everything—kosher salt dissolves nicely, and a touch of fresh black pepper gives a gentle kick.
Double Concentrated Tomato Paste: It amps up the umami and adds a rich tomatoey backbone without excess liquid.
Worcestershire Sauce: Just a splash helps deepen the meaty flavor, bridging all the ingredients together.
Beef Broth: Essential for cooking the pasta and infusing flavor throughout; I prefer low sodium so I can control saltiness.
Diced Tomatoes: They bring juiciness and texture; whole peeled tomatoes can work too but dice them yourself.
Dried Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape here—it holds sauce well and is just nostalgic comfort food-y.
Fresh Parsley or Scallion (Optional): A fresh pop of color and light flavor to brighten and balance all that richness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making this Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe my own by swapping in or adding ingredients that suit my mood or what’s in the fridge. You can easily put your spin on it, whether you’re after something slightly lighter or extra decadent.

Variation: I’ve tried mixing in diced bell peppers or mushrooms for more veggies and texture—it’s a tasty way to sneak in some greens without losing that cheesy, beefy feel.
Dietary Options: For a lower-carb twist, swap elbow macaroni for cauliflower florets; the casserole still holds up beautifully.
Cheese Upgrade: Feel free to add a little smoked gouda or pepper jack for a smoky or spicy note that changes things up.
Heat Level: Toss in a bit of cayenne or red pepper flakes if you like things with a kick—the robust flavors handle spice well.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Wait for the Yum—Sauté the Beef and Onion

Start by dicing half a medium yellow onion into small pieces. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it just starts to shimmer. Toss in your onion and ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Season with granulated garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are soft, about 6 to 7 minutes. This part always fills my kitchen with the most comforting aroma—promise you’ll enjoy this slow-build of flavors.

Step 2: Add Tomato Magic and Broth

Once the beef and onions are ready, stir in two tablespoons of tomato paste and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Cook it just enough for the tomato paste to deepen in color (about 1 minute). Then pour in the bulk of your beef broth along with a can of diced tomatoes and the rest of your salt and pepper. Bring this mix to a boil. This is where the casserole starts pulling together, with all those savory notes mingling beautifully.

Step 3: Pasta Time—Cook Until Tender

Add your dried elbow macaroni straight into the simmering mixture. Reduce the heat to medium and let it cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender—this usually takes about 10 minutes. If it looks like the liquid is soaking up too quickly before the pasta’s done, just add a bit more broth, a few tablespoons at a time. Watch closely so the pasta doesn’t stick. This one-pot pasta is the kind of dinner that feels effortless thanks to this step.

Step 4: Cheese It Up and Finish

When the pasta is perfectly tender, remove the pot from heat and stir in most of your shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 ½ cups). Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover the pot, and let the cheese melt for about 3 minutes. If you prefer a golden, bubbly crust like I do, pop the casserole under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until it’s beautifully browned. Just keep a close eye—it goes fast!

Top Tip

From my own kitchen adventures with this Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe, a few small tricks can make a big difference in taste and texture. These are the things I’ve learned helped me nail it every time—and I want you to have that success too.

Don’t Rush Browning: Let the beef and onions get that nice caramelization without stirring too often—this really boosts the flavor base.
Watch Your Pasta: Pasta can soak up broth quickly; be ready to add a splash extra to avoid dryness without watering down the flavors.
Use Sharp Cheddar: Mild cheese just won’t bring the same punch—sharp cheddar melts perfectly and adds the tangy cheeseburger vibe you want.
Broiler Alert: When browning on top, stay close and watch carefully—cheese can go from gooey to burnt in seconds.

How to Serve Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

cheeseburger casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little fresh chopped parsley or thinly sliced scallions on top—it adds a fresh pop of color and brightness that cuts through the richness. Sometimes, a few pickled jalapeño slices on the side add just the right zing.

Side Dishes

For sides, I love serving this casserole with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette or some steamed broccoli to balance all the cheesy goodness. Garlic bread or even oven-roasted veggies pair beautifully too.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I made individual portions in small oven-safe ramekins for a dinner party—it felt fancy yet stayed totally down-to-earth. You can also layer in extra cheese on top for a gooey lid or sprinkle crushed potato chips before broiling for a fun crunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I transfer leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate them. The casserole reheats well for up to 3 days—just give it a gentle stir and maybe add a splash of broth or milk when reheating to bring back some creaminess.

Freezing

This casserole freezes great! I like to portion it into freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Baking it covered in the oven restores the fresh-made feel better than the microwave.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers on the stovetop over low heat or in the oven at 350ºF until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if it seems dry—this keeps the texture creamy and prevents it from drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta in this Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe?

Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is classic and holds the sauce well, you can substitute with shells, rotini, or penne. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as smaller shapes may cook faster.

How do I make this Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe less salty?

Great question! Using low-sodium beef broth and adjusting salt amounts gradually helps a lot. Always taste before adding extra salt, especially after cooking, since cheese can add saltiness too.

Can I prepare this casserole ahead and bake later?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to the point before adding the cheese on top. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then add the cheese and broil just before serving for that fresh, melty finish.

What can I serve with this Cheeseburger Casserole to add some veggies?

Pairing it with a simple side salad, steamed green beans, broccoli, or roasted Brussels sprouts complements the richness of the casserole nicely, giving a balanced meal.

Final Thoughts

This Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe always brings back cozy family vibes for me—something about the melty cheese and hearty beef just screams comfort. I hope when you try it, it becomes one of those go-to meals that makes dinner easy and delicious, especially when you want something satisfying without fuss. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try this sooner!