Cheeseburgers Are A Summer Classic: Try Turning Them Into A Casserole For Dinner Tonight

ismishko - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only
ismishko - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only

There’s something truly comforting about chowing down on a cheeseburger. The combination of savory beef, tangy pickles, and melted cheese is hard to beat when it comes to comfort food.

But what if you could turn this summer classic into a dish that’s even easier to make and perfect for sharing?

Enter the Cheeseburger Casserole – a fun twist on the classic burger that brings all the familiar tastes into one convenient, satisfying meal.

Here’s exactly how to make it and wow your family or friends.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 2 cups cooked macaroni (about 1 cup uncooked)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup pickles, chopped
  • Optional toppings: chopped tomatoes, crispy bacon bits, additional pickles

This recipe takes just 15 minutes of prep and 35 minutes to cook, meaning you could be enjoying the fruits of your labor in only 50 minutes! Plus, this recipe yields enough to feed six.

To get started, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). At the same time, cook your ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Be sure to break apart the meat with a spatula until it’s no longer pink. Then, drain any excess fat.

Once your meat is cooked, add the diced onion and minced garlic to the cooked beef. Keep cooking until the onions are translucent and fragrant, which takes about three to five minutes. Along the way, be sure to season with salt and pepper.

ismishko – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only

Next, you can start to stir in the tomato paste, ketchup, and mustard, mixing well to combine all the ingredients. Once fully combined, allow the mixture to simmer for about five minutes until slightly thickened.

Then, you can add your cooked macaroni to the skillet and toss everything together until it’s well-mixed.

The fun part is up next – layering the casserole. Grab a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and pour half of the beef and macaroni mixture into it. Afterward, sprinkle one cup of cheddar cheese and half of the chopped pickles on top.

Lastly, you will want to add the remaining beef and macaroni mixture before topping everything off with the remaining cheese and pickles.

By now, your oven should be fully preheated, so simply pop the casserole in and let it bake for about 20 minutes – or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Once you remove it from the oven, you can even top the casserole with additional fresh toppings like chopped tomatoes, extra pickles, or crispy bacon bits for some added flavor and texture.

Prior to serving, just be sure to let the casserole cool for a few minutes. This helps the layers set a bit, making it easier to plate and enjoy!

Simple, tasty, and nostalgic, the cheeseburger casserole is a fun twist on traditional burgers – offering all the flavors in a one-dish wonder that’s sure to be a hit at your dinner table.

So, you can enjoy the familiar taste of a cheeseburger in every bite and even serve this casserole with a side salad or steamed vegetables to round out the meal. Or, for a true burger experience, you might just want to offer a side of crispy potato wedges or sweet potato fries.

Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.

Hi, I'm Bre, Chip Chick's CEO! I have a degree in Textile/Surface Design from The Fashion Institute of Technology. ... More about Bre Avery Zacharski

More About: