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Ultimate Quick & Easy Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole

Close-up of a hearty square serving of cheeseburger casserole featuring elbow macaroni, ground beef, and melted, browned cheese.
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This recipe takes the classic flavors of a cheeseburger—ground beef, melted cheddar, and a tangy sauce—and bakes them into a comforting pasta casserole. It is a simple, family-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni or shell pasta
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickles (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Cook for one minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the mustard and ketchup to the skillet and mix well with the beef mixture.
  5. Add the uncooked pasta, milk, and beef broth to the skillet. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
  6. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the pasta has absorbed some liquid and is starting to soften.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts into the sauce.
  8. Pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
  9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese topping is melted and lightly golden brown.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot with chopped dill pickles sprinkled on top if you like that classic burger tang.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute 1/2 cup of the milk with heavy cream.
  • If you want to add a crunch, sprinkle 1 cup of crushed potato chips or tater tots over the cheese before the last 10 minutes of baking. This makes a great kid friendly dinner casserole variation.
  • This recipe is a fantastic base for a one pot dinner recipe; you can mix in 1/2 cup of frozen peas or carrots with the beef during the last minute of cooking for added vegetables.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenican.com/cheeseburger-casserole-easy-quick-family-dinner/