Cheeseburger Casserole

This amazing Cheeseburger Casserole combines all the best flavors of cheeseburgers like ground beef, onions, garlic, ketchup, mustard, and Colby into a cheesy pasta casserole topped with seasoned homemade bun croutons.   It is always a huge hit, and even the pickiest eaters enjoy this recipe.

This is a hearty casserole all by itself, but sometimes I like to serve it with a simple garden salad or Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions.   For a flavor kick, try serving it with Candied Jalapenos or Pickled Jalapenos.

How to make Cheeseburger Casserole

Start by browning your ground beef in a large pot.  After a couple of minutes, add the onion and continue cooking until the beef is browned and the onions are soft.  Drain any excess grease from the beef mixture. Then add the garlic, cayenne, crushed red pepper, ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and beef broth.  Now bring it to a low boil.  Add the pasta and cover the pot cooking the pasta until it is al dente.  Then remove from the heat and stir in half of the cheese.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, marjoram, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.  Now toss in the bun cubes and gently stir to coat.  Then bake the croutons for about 15 minutes.  Next, spoon the pasta into a large deep baking dish, top with the remaining cheese, and sprinkle with the croutons.  Finally, bake until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.

Recipe notes and helpful tips

• If you use a Dutch oven for the pasta portion of the recipe, you do not need to transfer it to a casserole dish because they are oven safe.
• The croutons can be made up to a day in advance and stored in an airtight container.
• Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, White Cheddar, or Gouda can be substituted for Colby.
• Customize with toppings like dill pickles, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce. 
• Pasta substitutions include elbow macaroni, penne, rotini, ziti, rigatoni, and medium-shell pasta.
• For an over-the-top taste sensation, add a little ground sausage to the hamburger mix.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe Variations

• Italian – replace the hamburger with ground Italian sausage, omit the cayenne, ketchup, and mustard, add 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, and replace the cheddar with mozzarella but put it all on the top of the casserole.
• Spicy – add minced jalapeno, green chilies, more crushed red pepper, or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
• Veggies – add peas, carrots, tomatoes, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
• Meat – replace the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, pork, or any combination of these. Add chopped, crispy cooked bacon for a bacon cheeseburger casserole. 

Other casserole recipes you will love!

Easy Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

A fun and easy Cheeseburger Casserole with ground beef, onion, garlic and pasta in a cheesy sauce topped with more cheese and fresh homemade bun croutons. The end result is so tasty that you will want to make this over and over again.

5 from 15 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: main meal beef

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 739kcal

Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 medium sweet yellow onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne
• ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 ½ tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard see notes
• 4 cups beef broth
• 16 ounces cellentani pasta
• 2 cups shredded Colby or cheddar cheese

Bun Croutons

• 3 hamburger or hotdog buns cute in cubes
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Start browning your ground beef in a large pot over medium heat.  After 2-3 minutes add the onion and continue cooking until the beef is browned and the onions are soft.  Add the garlic, cayenne, and crushed red pepper.  Cook for 1 minute stirring continuously.
• Add the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and beef broth.  Bring it to a low boil.  Add the pasta and cover the pot cooking the pasta until it is tender.  Remove from the heat and stir in half of the cheese.
• Meanwhile in a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, marjoram, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.  Toss in the bun cubes and stir gently to coat.  Place the croutons on a parchment covered baking sheet.  Bake for 15-20 minutes or until crispy.
• Spoon the pasta into a large deep 9x13 baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, top with the remaining cheese, and sprinkle with the croutons.  Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.

Notes

• If you use a Dutch oven for the pasta portion of the recipe, you do not need to transfer it to a casserole dish because they are oven safe.
• The croutons can be made up to a day in advance and stored in an airtight container.
• Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, White Cheddar, or Gouda can be substituted for Colby.
• Customize with toppings like dill pickles, diced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce. 
• Pasta substitutions include elbow macaroni, penne, rotini, ziti, rigatoni, and medium-shell pasta.
• Add a little ground sausage to the hamburger mix for an over-the-top taste sensation.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 739kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 1245mg | Potassium: 692mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 529IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 343mg | Iron: 4mg

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