Description
This Easy Cheeseburger Casserole is a comforting and delicious twist on a classic cheeseburger. Featuring ground beef, cheddar cheese, and elbow macaroni baked in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce and topped with melted cheddar cheese and optional chopped pickles, this casserole is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cups cooked elbow macaroni (or preferred pasta)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cheddar cheese soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup pickles, chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Beef & Onion: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and ground beef, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
- Mix Ingredients: Stir in ketchup, mustard, condensed cheddar cheese soup, and milk into the cooked beef and onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the skillet and stir until the pasta is fully coated with the sauce and beef mixture.
- Assemble: Transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Evenly spread shredded cheddar cheese on top and sprinkle chopped pickles over the cheese if using.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute elbow macaroni with any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne or rotini.
- For a spicier kick, add a dash of hot sauce or chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- If you prefer a lower-fat dish, use reduced-fat cheese and soup varieties.
- Chopped pickles are optional but add a nice tangy contrast reminiscent of a traditional cheeseburger.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave within 3 days.
