Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole

This Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole brings together juicy ground beef, tender pasta, melty cheese, and savory seasonings in one bubbling, golden dish. It’s everything you love about a classic cheeseburger that’s rich, cheesy, and satisfying, baked into a cozy, family-friendly casserole that’s perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends. One bite and you’ll see why this hearty favorite disappears fast at the dinner table.

What You’ll Love About Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole

Ultimate comfort food – It combines the classic flavors of a cheeseburger with creamy, cheesy pasta in one warm, satisfying casserole dish.
Easy weeknight dinner – Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for busy evenings.
Family-friendly favorite – Even picky eaters tend to love the familiar cheeseburger taste.
One cozy dish – Everything bakes together in a single casserole, making serving and cleanup easier.
Great for leftovers – It reheats beautifully, so you can enjoy it again the next day for lunch or dinner.
Customizable – Add toppings like pickles, bacon, or extra cheese to make it just how you like it.

Easy Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole Recipe

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make Cheeseburger Macaroni: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

Beef – One pound lean ground beef for a beefy flavor.
Pasta – Twisted Elbow macaroni or classic elbow macaroni.
Onion and Garlic – Sweet onion and minced garlic enhances the flavor of the hamburger.
Oil – Olive oil for cooking the beef.
Beef Stock – You’ll need low sodium beef stock or beef broth to cook the pasta.
Tomatoes – Canned petite diced tomatoes for a rich flavor.
Condiments – Ketchup, yellow mustard and Worcestershire sauce give cheeseburger vibes to the taste.
Spices – Steak seasoning i.e. Montreal steak seasoning or Chicago streak seasoning, dark chili powder.
Pickles – Dill pickles for a tangy flavor.
Cheese – Shredded sharp cheddar cheese for a melty cheesy flavor.
Cream – Heavy cream gives the casserole a creamy texture.
Topping – Crispy french fried onions for crunch.
Fresh Herbs – Fresh parsley for garnishing

ingredients-to-make-cheeseburger-casserole

How to Make the Baked Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole Recipe

Sauté Beef and Onion – Cook the ground beef and onion until no pink remains. (Drain if excess grease but for a richer flavor, leave some behind.)
Add Liquids – Add the beef stock, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard and Worcestershire sauce to beef mixture.
Combine – Stir in the macaroni, steak seasoning and chili powder.
Simmer – Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium. Simmer for 8-10 minutes or just until the macaroni is tender.
Add Cheese – Add cheese, heavy cream and pickles. Stir to combine.
Heat Oven and Prepare Dish – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f. Spray casserole dish with cooking spray. Transfer macaroni mixture to the dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and french fried onions.
Oven – Bake per the cooking time in the recipe until bubbly and golden brown.
Serve hot garnished with parsley.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Baked Cheeseburger Macaroni

Dutch oven or skillet.
Kinfe and chopping board.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
13×9-inch casserole dish.
Cheese grater.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Protein – You can use ground chicken, ground pork or ground turkey in place of ground beef.
Cheese – You can use any variety of cheese that you enjoy. Try colby jack cheese, mozzarella cheese or spicy pepper jack cheese.
Pasta – You could use medium shells or rotini in place of elbow macaroni.
Topping Options – You can top this casserole with panko breadcrumbs or crushed buttery Ritz crackers or club crackers in place of french fried onions. Toss with melted butter and sprinkle on top before baking.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers – Store leftover Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole in an airtight container or covered with aluminum foil chilled in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating – Reheat in single servings in the microwave or in a preheated 350°F oven just until heated through.
Freezer Tips – You can also freeze cheeseburger casserole leftovers for up to 2 months. Remove from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat just before serving.

More Easy Casserole Recipes to Make

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole turns simple ingredients into a feast.
Add your favorite fiesta toppings to this Cornbread Taco Bake for a complete meal.
Brunswick Stew is a stovetop casserole perfect for chilly days.
Baked Mostaccioli for Italian night at home.
Smoked Sausage and Rice Casserole comes together in minutes on the stovetop.
Start your morning with this Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole.
Chicken Stuffing Casserole packs comfort in every bite.
Croissant Breakfast Casserole from Southern Living.

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