Cheeseburger Casserole blends pasta with all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger.
Instead of a bun, this dish serves hot cheesy pasta mixed with seasoned ground beef, onion, mushrooms, ketchup, mustard and finished with pickles. The result tastes remarkably like a cheeseburger, but in comforting casserole form.
If you enjoy nostalgic ground beef dinners, try similar favorites like Easy Sloppy Joes, Grandma’s Goulash, Salisbury Steak, or Classic Meatloaf for more family-friendly meals.
Why this recipe works:
Cheeseburger Casserole marries two family favorites: ground beef and pasta. Those familiar ingredients create a simple, satisfying dinner that’s easy to make and appeals to both kids and adults.
The recipe is quick, lets you sneak in vegetables like onion and mushrooms, and comes together as a hot, cheesy, flavorful meal that feels like a classic cheeseburger without the bun.
Cooking tips for perfect results:
- Salt the pasta water generously — roughly 1 tablespoon per pound of pasta — so the pasta itself is seasoned.
- Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente because it will continue to soften when mixed with the sauce and baked or covered.
- Brown the ground beef thoroughly so it becomes crumbly; this also cooks the onion and mushrooms and develops richer flavor.
- Use freshly grated cheese if possible for better melting and taste, though pre-shredded cheese is a convenient time-saver.
Be sure to add pickles!
Choose sliced kosher dill pickles rather than sweet relish. Relish is quite sweet and better suited to hot dogs, while pickles add the bright, tangy contrast that a cheeseburger needs.
I usually add the pickles just before serving so they keep their crisp texture and guests can control how many they want. If you enjoy making your own, homemade refrigerator dill pickles are a great summer project and taste far better than most store-bought options.
What ground beef is best for casseroles?
Lean ground beef is recommended for casseroles. Fatty beef can release grease that collects on top of the dish, especially when combined with several cups of melted cheese. Save fattier blends for grilled burgers, where excess fat can render away.
Lean, pasture-raised or grass-fed beef works well here: it adds flavor without excessive fat so your casserole stays rich but not greasy.
Kitchen Tools needed to make Cheeseburger Pasta:
Casserole dish: any standard 9×13 or similar baking dish will work.
Cutting board and a good set of knives: helpful for dicing onion and slicing mushrooms and pickles.
Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta Fusilli recommended
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium red onion diced
- 8 ounces mushrooms diced
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar shredded
- 1 1/2 cups swiss cheese shredded
- sliced kosher dill pickles for garnish
Instructions
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Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook 8 ounces pasta until just under al dente, about one minute less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
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In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook 1 pound ground beef with the diced onion and diced mushrooms over medium-high heat until the meat is browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes.
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In a bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups beef broth, 3 tablespoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon corn starch until smooth.
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Pour the beef broth mixture into the cooked meat and stir. Heat over medium until the mixture bubbles and thickens slightly, a couple of minutes.
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Add the cooked pasta and toss gently to combine with the meat and sauce.
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Reduce heat to low, sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar and 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss, cover until the cheese melts. Or make ahead: refrigerate the casserole without cheese, then when ready to serve let it come to room temperature, top with cheese, and warm in a 300°F oven for about 30 minutes until heated through.
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Top with sliced kosher dill pickles and serve hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.