Loaded Cheeseburger Casserole

We love a good cheeseburger, so why not take those flavors and turn them into a casserole? It’s easy to put together, and full of all those delicious flavors you know and love. And just like any good burger, you can also play around with the toppings to make sure it’s exactly what you like.

For more beefy, cheesy goodness, try our American Skillet Picadillo.

Why Our Recipe

• All the flavors you love from cheeseburgers, in a beefy, cheesy casserole.
• Toasted hamburger buns add the perfect, crispy texture on top.
• Easily add extra toppings to make it your own.

We have to admit, this casserole is a lot heartier than your regular old burger. With a little prep work and a little patience while it bakes, you’ll be chowing down in about an hour. We highly recommend getting creative with your toppings. Pick and choose from our suggestions, or create something totally your own!

Ingredient Notes

• Ground Beef: Choose lean ground beef. We prefer 90/10 or 93/7 for this to avoid excessive grease. 85/15 also works, but will have some grease. Ground turkey or chicken can also be used.
• White Onion: If you have a yellow onion on hand, that will also work
• Butter: Adds flavor and moisture if you’re using lean ground beef.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is the thickening agent for the sauce. Cornstarch can also be used in half the amount.
• Rotini Pasta: You can easily substitute with elbow macaroni, shells, bowtie, or fusilli.
• Beef Broth: Use low-sodium broth to better control the flavor.
• Heavy Cream: You can also substitute with half and half if needed, but the sauce won’t be as creamy.
• Ketchup: Gives a great base flavor to the sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Can substitute with soy sauce with a splash of vinegar.
• Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded, which contains anti-caking agents. Feel free to experiment with Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend.

One of the best parts about our easy cheeseburger casserole is that you can really play around with the topping options. We’re huge onion lovers, which is why we load our version with plenty of them. If you love pickles, feel free to double our suggested quantity! There are just a few examples of some other toppings you can use:

• Sautéed mushrooms
• Crumbled bacon
• Fresh tomatoes (add after baking)
• Onion rings or french fries (add after baking)
• Sliced avocado (add after baking)
• Banana peppers

Get creative, and make this cheeseburger casserole exactly how you want it! We recommend that you add some of these extra toppings to the melty cheese layer once it comes out of the oven for the best results.

Make-Ahead Option

You can easily make this casserole ahead of time. To make this process a whole lot easier, we suggest that you bake your casserole in an aluminum dish. That way, you’ll be able to slip the entire pan into your freezer. Make sure to tightly wrap it in plastic wrap, then place a layer of aluminum foil on top. When you’re ready to eat, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and heat at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese starts to bubble.