Easy Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

If you love hamburgers, then this cheeseburger casserole is perfect for you. It has all the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger but with pasta added!

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Our Cheeseburger Casserole recipe packed with ground beef, crispy bacon,  cheese and macaroni  this easy-to-make dish is hit with the whole family. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Ground beef, bacon, macaroni and lots of cheese are used in making this cheeseburger casserole, which is baked to perfection. This recipe is a quick and easy dinner option that children as well as grownups equally enjoy.

Ingredients for Cheeseburger Casserole

The ingredients needed include macaroni elbows, bacon, ground beef, onion, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper parsley and toppings like pickles tomatoes and lettuce.

How Do You Make Cheeseburger Casserole?

Boil the elbow macaroni according to package directions. While waiting for the pasta to cook fry the bacon until crispy. Set the bacon aside. Cook ground beef in bacon grease; add onions; cook till soft. Season meat with seasonings; tomato sauce or any other flavoring desired may be used. Add pasta to beef mix stirring in half of the cheese. Place pasta mix into baking dish topping off with remaining cheese. Bake until cheese melts adding also bacon plus other toppings after which serve hot!

Tips for The Perfect Casserole

For this dish I usually use 90% lean ground beef because it has lots of flavor but isn’t too greasy. Should you go for beef with more fat drain off any extra grease before continuing with your recipe.

Do not get pre-shredded cheese but grate yourself because it usually has preservatives and does not melt well like fresh grated ones.

You can prepare this casserole up to 4 hours before baking. Store it covered in the fridge until ready to bake. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if starting with a cold dish.

There is protein, pasta, cheese and veggies in this casserole-o which makes it a complete meal. Often I serve it with fruit or vegetable side.

Why this Cheeseburger Casserole Stands Out This dish is not only tasty but also very versatile. The ingredients can be changed according to your family’s taste. Plus, it’s great for leftovers; if you got some extra veggies in fridge, put them in there too. Feel free to mix and match different types of cheese if you have them. This casserole is very forgiving and can handle a variety of substitutions.

Additional Tips for Success

• When preparing bacon, ensure that it becomes crispy before using in the casserole as it improves its texture.
• Sometimes when adding onions into ground beef I cook until they become fully softened. This will make them blend well with the rest of the ingredients.
• However, ensure that you taste your meat mixture before adding it to pasta. Now adjust seasoning if necessary; it just needs some more salt or pepper.
• Quick Tip Store leftover casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can freeze this dish but the pasta becomes soft in the freezer. When reheating, you might want to add a little extra cheese on top to freshen it up.

Cheeseburger Casserole Flavor Variations

This dish is great as-is, but you can add other ingredients to change the flavors according to your preference.

Meat: Instead of ground beef use ground turkey or half and half mixed with Italian sausage. The flavor would be slightly different while making lighter version of this dish.

Cheese: Though cheddar is a conventional topping, other varieties like mozzarella, pepper jack and colby can be used. Every type adds its own unique taste into the dish.

Pasta: Any short pasta will work such as rotini, penne or medium shells. It’s possible to change texture by using different shapes of pasta which would also make it more interesting.

Toppings: Include as many toppings as you want. My own usual favorites are bacon, dill pickles and diced tomatoes but others include olives, avocado, french fried onions or shredded lettuce. These toppings give it a bit of freshness and crunch.

Seasonings: Add more seasoning to the sauce like Worcestershire sauce, or mix in some beef broth for extra flavor. Stir in some sour cream or cream cheese if looking for a creamier casserole. Dijon mustard tastes just as good if you don’t have yellow mustard. Each of these additions can alter the taste profile and make dishes more complicated.

Recipe FAQs

What are the basic components of a casserole?

Casseroles mostly contain proteins such as chicken, starches such as pasta or rice, vegetables, cheese and sauces. All these components are present in this cheeseburger casserole.

What is the secret to making a good casserole?

The key to an excellent casserole lies in not overcooking it. Overcooking can result into tough meat while pasta, rice or veggies that is too soft. It’s important to follow cooking times provided and keep an eye on your baking dish while cooking so that it does not dry out.

Should casseroles be covered when baking?

When it comes to baking casseroles, I tend not to cover them unless they require long baking time. Most casseroles with precooked ingredients like meat and pasta do not require a lot of baking time. If you are using raw meat or other uncooked ingredients such as rice, then you will have to cook it for longer and also cover the casserole.

Preparing It Ahead This is one meal that you can prepare ahead when your day is overwhelming. You can assemble it either in the morning or night before placing in the refrigerator. Just bake them in the oven once you reach home in order to warm them up again. Thus, this is an easy option for those nights when there isn’t enough time for cooking but still needs homemade food on table.