Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

You're about to discover the ultimate comfort food that transforms your favorite burger into a hearty, cheesy casserole. Imagine combining all the classic cheeseburger flavors into one incredible baked dish that'll have your family asking for seconds. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing potluck option, this cheeseburger casserole promises to be your new go-to recipe. Curious how a few simple ingredients can create such magic? Let's break down this mouthwatering culinary adventure.

Recipe Highlights

• A delicious Cheeseburger Casserole requires ground beef, elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, tomato sauce, and yellow mustard as primary ingredients.
• Brown ground beef thoroughly, cook pasta al dente, then combine with tomato sauce and mustard in a baking dish.
• Bake the casserole at 350°F for 20 minutes, topping with shredded cheese until melted and golden for optimal flavor.
• Customize the recipe by adding optional ingredients like diced onions, pickles, or crumbled bacon to enhance the cheeseburger taste profile.
• This one-dish meal is family-friendly, quick to prepare, and provides a nostalgic twist on the classic hamburger dinner.

History

While casseroles have been a staple of American home cooking for generations, the cheeseburger casserole represents a more modern culinary innovation that emerged in the mid-20th century.

You'll find its roots in the post-World War II era, when convenience cooking and budget-friendly meals became increasingly popular.

Midwestern home cooks likely pioneered this dish, transforming the classic hamburger into a comforting, one-dish meal that could feed hungry families quickly.

The recipe reflected changing domestic dynamics, with more women entering the workforce and seeking efficient meal preparation techniques.

By combining familiar ingredients like ground beef, pasta, and cheese, they created a nostalgic yet practical dinner solution.

This culinary adaptation perfectly captured the spirit of mid-century American home cooking: practical, delicious, and adaptable.

Recipe

Cheeseburger Casserole transforms the classic burger into a comforting, easy-to-make family meal that captures all the beloved flavors in one delicious dish. This simple casserole brings together the hearty elements of a cheeseburger – ground beef, cheese, and tangy mustard – in a convenient baked format that's perfect for busy weeknights.

The recipe offers a streamlined approach to dinner, combining just a handful of ingredients to create a satisfying meal that appeals to both kids and adults. By layering familiar cheeseburger components into a cheesy pasta bake, this dish reinvents a classic favorite with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, carefully draining any excess fat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.

While the beef is cooking, prepare the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions, ensuring it's cooked al dente.

In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the cooked ground beef, drained pasta, tomato sauce, and yellow mustard. Mix the ingredients thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top, creating a generous and even layer that will melt beautifully during baking.

Bake the casserole for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and begins to bubble around the edges. The dish should emerge golden and appetizing, with the cheese forming a delicious, slightly crispy top layer that hints at the cheeseburger inspiration.

For the best results, use lean ground beef to minimize excess grease, and consider preparing the casserole in advance. It can be assembled and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking, with the understanding that you'll need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.

Serve hot and enjoy the nostalgic flavors of a classic cheeseburger in a convenient, shareable format.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by browning the ground beef in a skillet, ensuring it's thoroughly cooked and excess fat is drained.

Next, cook your elbow macaroni according to the package instructions while preparing the beef, then combine the two in a baking dish with tomato sauce and mustard.

Top the mixture generously with shredded cheddar cheese, and bake until the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden blanket that'll make your mouth water.

Step 1. Brown Ground Beef

Since ground beef forms the protein base of this cheeseburger casserole, you'll want to brown it carefully to develop rich, deep flavors. Use a large skillet over medium heat, and break the meat into small, uniform crumbles as it cooks.

You'll know the beef is ready when:

• No pink remains visible
• Meat has a consistent golden-brown color
• Edges start to crisp slightly

Drain excess fat thoroughly to prevent a greasy final dish. A colander lined with paper towels works perfectly for this step. Press gently to remove additional fat, but don't rinse the meat—you'll lose those delicious browned flavor compounds.

Season with salt and pepper during cooking for enhanced taste. Keep the heat steady and stir occasionally to ensure even browning and prevent sticking or burning.

Step 2. Cook Macaroni

Perfect pasta preparation is crucial for your cheeseburger casserole's success, so grab a large pot and fill it with water for your elbow macaroni.

Salt the water generously, aiming for a tablespoon of kosher salt per quart, which'll enhance the pasta's flavor from the inside out. Bring the water to a rolling boil, where large bubbles break the surface vigorously and consistently.

Add your 2 cups of elbow macaroni directly into the boiling water, stirring immediately to prevent sticking.

Cook for 8-10 minutes, checking texture periodically. You're looking for al dente – tender but with a slight firmness when bitten.

Drain thoroughly in a colander, shaking to remove excess water, ensuring your pasta is ready to blend seamlessly into the cheeseburger casserole.

Step 3. Combine Beef and Pasta

With your perfectly cooked macaroni drained and waiting, grab that skillet of browned ground beef and prepare to marry these key components of your cheeseburger casserole.

You'll want to mix the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring even distribution of flavors.

• Carefully transfer the ground beef into a large 9×13 baking dish
• Add the drained macaroni directly on top of the beef
• Pour the entire can of tomato sauce over the mixture
• Drizzle yellow mustard across the surface, creating a zigzag pattern

Gently fold the ingredients together, using a spatula or large spoon to blend without mashing the pasta.

The goal is a uniform mixture where beef, pasta, and sauce create a harmonious base that'll soon be topped with melty cheddar cheese, transforming your simple ingredients into a comforting, cheeseburger-inspired casserole.

Step 4. Top With Cheese

As the aromatic beef and pasta mixture awaits its cheesy crown, sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly across the surface, ensuring complete coverage.

You'll want to distribute the cheese uniformly, creating a blanket that will melt into a golden, bubbling layer. Use about 2 cups of sharp cheddar, allowing it to cascade over the casserole's entire landscape.

Let the cheese extend to the edges, which will create delicious crispy bits during baking. Press the shreds gently to help them settle into the mixture's nooks and crannies.

When you slide the dish into the 350°F oven, the cheese will transform, melting into a creamy, tantalizing topping that captures the essence of a classic cheeseburger.

Watch for those irresistible golden-brown edges signaling perfection.

Step 5. Bake Until Cheese Bubbles

Once the casserole is assembled and cheese-topped, you'll want to slide the baking dish into a preheated 350°F oven, positioning the rack in the center for even heat distribution.

Watch carefully as the cheese begins to melt, bubbling around the edges and creating a golden, slightly crispy surface. The 20-minute baking time is crucial – you're looking for that perfect moment when the cheese transforms from solid to molten, developing small, appetizing bubbles that signal it's ready to serve.

• Bake precisely 20 minutes
• Look for bubbling cheese edges
• Aim for golden, slightly crisp top
• Check center is thoroughly heated

The visual and textural changes indicate your cheeseburger casserole has reached its peak deliciousness.

Final Thoughts

Though simple to prepare, this cheeseburger casserole delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. You'll find it's a crowd-pleaser that transforms basic pantry ingredients into a comforting meal everyone will love.

The recipe's genius lies in its simplicity, allowing you to create a satisfying dinner in under an hour. Consider making this dish your new weeknight staple.

You can easily customize it by adding diced onions, pickles, or even crumbled bacon on top. Pro tip: use freshly shredded cheese for the best melting texture.

Whether you're feeding a family or looking for a nostalgic comfort food, this casserole hits all the right notes. It's a foolproof recipe that proves delicious meals don't have to be complicated.