If you only have 30 minutes to make dinner, this Quick & Easy Cheeseburger Casserole is what you’re looking for. This one-pot meal is cheesy, hearty, filling, and delicious. A twist on a classic cheeseburger, this dish is ideal as a make-ahead meal.
Ingredients For Easy Cheeseburger Casserole
- Lean ground beef
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Dry parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Worcestershire sauce
- Tomato paste
- Beef broth
- Elbow macaroni
- Milk
- Cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
How To Make Easy Cheeseburger Casserole
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef with the onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, dry parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, until fully cooked.
- Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce and stir until fully combined.
- Pour in the beef broth, add the elbow macaroni, stir, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
- Uncover and add the milk, sour cream, and half of the cheddar cheese. Sitr until fully combined and the cheese is melted.
Top with the remaining cheese, cover, and heat for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve while hot.
Can I Use A Different Type Of Pasta?
You can use your favorite short pasta like farfalle, fusilli, conchiglie, or penne.
Can I Make This Casserole Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can. Make it up until you mix in half the amount of cheddar cheese, let it cool down, and store in in an airtight container.
When ready to serve, place in a baking dish, top with the remaining cheese, and bake until hot and the cheese has melted.
What’s The Best Way To Store Leftovers?
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How Do I Reheat The Casserole?
You can either reheat in the microwave or in a 350 F oven. If the casserole is frozen, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Quick & Easy Cheeseburger Casserole - A One-Dish Family Favorite
Equipment
- Knife and cutting board
- Large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed saucepan
- Stove
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ cup yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dry parsley
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- Ground pepper to taste
- 2 ½ tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef with the onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, dry parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, until fully cooked.
- Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce and stir until fully combined.
- Pour in the beef broth, add the elbow macaroni, stir, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
- Uncover and add the milk, sour cream, and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir until fully combined and the cheese is melted.
- Top with the remaining cheese, cover, and heat for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve while hot.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What If I Don’t Have Sour Cream?
Use Greek yogurt instead. If you don’t have either, skip it but add a bit more milk to maintain the creaminess of the sauce.
What Cheese Works Best For This Recipe?
Cheddar is what is recommended, but you can use any melty cheese of your choice like mozzarella, Colby Jack, or Mexican cheese blend.
Can I Use A Different Type Of Meat?
Use your favorite ground meat like chicken, turkey, pork, or a combination of any.
What If I Don’t Have Worcestershire Sauce?
For a similar flavor profile, you can use soy sauce or a mixture of soy sauce and vinegar.
Can I Add Vegetables To This Casserole?
Absolutely! You can add diced tomatoes, bell peppers, black olives, or spinach. Add them when cooking the meat with the onions to ensure they cook properly.
What Should I Do If My Sauce Is Too Thick Or Too Thin?
If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more milk, and if it’s too thin, simmer the casserole for a bit longer or until it reaches the desired consistency.
