Homemade Cheeseburger Casserole – No Box Mix Required

No need to purchase a box of Hamburger Helper when you can make a Homemade Cheeseburger Casserole that tastes even better! It is a classic comfort food dish that gets its name from the fact that the ground beef and pasta meal has all the flavors of a cheeseburger.

Then it gets even better when you add classic cheeseburger toppings and mix them in for a nostalgic meal that even the pickiest eater will love.

The base of the recipe involves cooking ground beef and onions in a skillet, then adding seasonings, cooked pasta and tomatoes to the pan. Once everything is mixed together it is then poured into a baking dish, topped with shredded cheese, and baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

It is a family favorite dinner recipe that I make on both busy weeknights and for Sunday supper. It also makes for a great meal to take to a potluck, to gift to new parents, or to feed a family in a time of need.

Best of all the recipe is very versatile and can easily be adapted to accommodate for taste preferences or dietary requirements. For instance, you can use gluten-free pasta for someone who can’t tolerate gluten.

Or for those who don’t eat red meat, you can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken instead. It really is a versatile recipe that you will enjoy making over and over again.

Why You Will Love This Recipe Too

Easy and Convenient

Cheeseburger casserole is a quick and easy homemade meal that you can prepare using ingredients that are typically found in most kitchens. Best of all the ingredients are prepared in one skillet.

However, I prefer to then pour the contents into a baking dish and top it with cheese. Then all that is left to do is to place it in a preheated oven until the cheese melts.

Comfort Food

Homemade cheeseburger casserole is a classic American dish that is considered comfort food. It’s warm, hearty, and satisfying, which makes it a popular choice for weeknight family dinners or potlucks.

Versatile

As stated above this dish can be customized to fit individual tastes and dietary requirements. You can add or omit ingredients, such as vegetables, spices, or different types of cheese to make it just how you and your family like it.

There are many variations of the recipe, and some may include additional ingredients like diced tomatoes, mushrooms, or green peppers. Some recipes also include toppings like pickles, ketchup, or mustard to enhance the cheeseburger flavor when served.

Budget Friendly

Cheeseburger casserole is an affordable meal that can feed a crowd. It’s a great way to stretch your food budget without sacrificing taste or nutrition.

Make Ahead Meal

You can make this meal ahead of time and simply heat it up in the oven when you need a quick weeknight meal. Simply prepare the meal as instructed and then cover and place it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Then remove the cover and heat the casserole until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Cheeseburger Casserole vs. Johnny Marzetti

If the homemade cheeseburger casserole sounds a lot like the popular Johnny Marzetti pasta dish you aren’t mistaken. Both dishes are classic American comfort foods, but there are some key differences between the two dishes.

Cheeseburger casserole is typically made with ground beef, macaroni or other pasta, tomato products, and cheese. It is usually baked in the oven and served hot with your choice of classic cheeseburger toppings.

On the other hand, Johnny Marzetti is a pasta casserole that is typically made with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and cheese. It often includes macaroni or other pasta, and sometimes additional ingredients like mushrooms or olives.

So while both dishes are hearty pasta casseroles made with ground beef and cheese, the main differences between them are the additional ingredients used in each dish. Cheeseburger casserole focuses on classic cheeseburger toppings like pickles, ketchup, and mustard, while Johnny Marzetti includes more vegetables like onions and green peppers for a more savory flavor.

Best Type of Ground Beef To Use

When it comes to making homemade cheeseburger casserole, you’ll want to choose a type of beef that is flavorful, juicy, but not too lean. Because you are looking for that classic beefy flavor of a cheeseburger you want a good fat to lean ratio.

Ground chuck is the most popular beef for making this casserole. It has a good amount of fat, which makes it juicy and flavorful. It is made from the beef shoulder and usually has a fat to lean ratio of 85/15.

However you can also use ground beef if you prefer. It typically has a fat to lean ratio of 80/20, meaning it will cook down more due to the higher fat content.

Ground sirloin: Ground sirloin is made from the sirloin cut of beef and typically has a fat to lean ratio of 90/10. Although there would be less of a beefy flavor in your casserole dish, ground sirloin still has good flavor and you can use it in this recipe. However, it is a more expensive option than the preferred ground chuck.

What To Serve With Homemade Cheeseburger Casserole

Although this dish is hearty enough to serve as a stand alone meal, there may be times that you want to serve it with something else. Here are some great items that pair with this dish.

1. Salad: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing would provide a nice contrast to the richness of the casserole.

2. Vegetables: Roasted or steamed vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, or green beans would make for a healthy side dish.

3. Coleslaw: Coleslaw would be a refreshing and crunchy side dish that would complement the flavors of the cheeseburger casserole nicely.

4. Garlic Bread: You can never go wrong with 4 Cheese Garlic Bread or Garlic Knots. Use the bread to soak up the sauce so you can enjoy every bite.

Homemade Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb 85/15 ground chuck or ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. ground black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dry Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 15 oz can petite diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cups elbow macaroni, dried
• 1 cup sour cream
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

The first step in making this homemade cheeseburger casserole is to preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Then spay a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium high heat until no longer pink. Drain grease and return the cooked ground beef to the skillet.

Place the skillet over medium and add onion, salt, pepper, garlic, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, and chili powder. Stir well and cook until onions are tender, about 3-5 minutes.

Add the Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, undrained diced tomatoes and beef broth and stir.

Stir in the elbow macaroni until evenly distributed. Then bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring 3-4 times until the pasta is al’ dente.

With the heat still on medium-low stir in the sour cream and milk until incorporated.

Transfer The Homemade Cheeseburger Casserole To A Baking Dish

Pour 1/2 of the beef and noodle mixture into the prepared baking dish. Then sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella and 1/2 of the shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole.

Pour the remaining beef and pasta mixture over the top of the cheese. Make the final layer by sprinkling the top of the casserole with the remaining cheese.

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the sides of the casserole are bubbling and the cheese has melted.

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy! Mary

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