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Cheesy, savory, and full of bright flavors, Cheeseburger Casserole is the ideal comfort food! This dish is the easiest weeknight dinner that everyone will love. 

A plate of cheesy macaroni with ground beef, reminiscent of cheeseburger casserole, sits on a marble surface next to black forks and an orange checkered napkin. A casserole dish with more pasta is partially visible in the corner.


 

Quick Recipe Overview

A plate of cheesy beef macaroni casserole, reminiscent of classic cheeseburger casserole, sits on a marble countertop next to an orange striped napkin, with a baking dish of the hearty meal partially visible in the corner.

WHAT: A hearty baked pasta casserole with ground beef, tomato sauce, and melted cheddar cheese.

WHY: Big cheeseburger flavor, one pan, minimal cleanup, and universally loved.

HOW: Brown beef, simmer noodles in broth, fold in cheese and sour cream, bake until bubbly.

Jump to Recipe

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

  • You only need 15 minutes to prepare the ingredients.
  • Contains all the best flavors of a classic cheeseburger in one dish.
  • You can easily customize the flavor of your casserole.
Melissa in her kitchen smiling in front of the starting ingredients for the chicken the quinoa salad and skillet chicken on the wood block in front of her

🩷 Melissa

Cheeseburger casserole is the perfect spin on a classic, well loved food! This casserole has all the best flavors of a burger in each warm, cheesy bite. This casserole is extremely easy to make, and uses many staple ingredients, so you can make it in no time.

I love how the noodles cook in the broth, ground beef, and tomato sauce mixture making them extra flavorful and tender! This casserole will be a big hit, and is one that you won’t want to miss out on.

Ingredient Notes

Ground Beef: The beef will soak up the seasonings giving you a juicy and savory taste. 

Cavatappi Noodles: Uncooked.

Beef Broth: To cook the noodles and amplify the rich meaty flavor of the dish.

Sour Cream: For a smooth and creamy texture. You can also use plain Greek yogurt. 

Tomato Paste: Helps thicken the casserole and amplify the sweet tomato flavor.

Tomato Sauce: Adds moisture and flavor to the casserole.

Cheddar Cheese: Shredded. To give a savory flavor on the inside and a nice crust on top!

Garlic Salt: Amplifies the flavor of the beef.

Dried Minced Onion: For a sharp and bright taste. You can also use onion powder. 

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Top view of bowls with ingredients for cheeseburger casserole: minced onion and garlic salt, tomato paste, sour cream, tomato sauce, beef broth, uncooked macaroni noodles, ground beef, and shredded cheddar cheese on a white surface.

Featured Review

Sherrie Clark⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

February 25, 2025

It was so easy to make, that it was making me wanting a cheeseburger!

A plate of cheesy macaroni with ground beef, reminiscent of cheeseburger casserole, sits on a marble surface next to black forks and an orange checkered napkin. A casserole dish with more pasta is partially visible in the corner.
5 from 3 votes

Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

By: Melissa Griffiths
Cheesy, savory, and full of bright flavors, Cheeseburger Casserole is the ideal comfort food! This dish is the easiest weeknight dinner that everyone will love. 
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 6
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 pound cavatappi noodles, uncooked
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  • Cook your ground beef in a large pan or skillet over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes, or until it is no longer pink in the middle.
    1 pound ground beef
  • Once the ground beef is fully cooked, stir in the beef broth, garlic salt, dried minced onion, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Bring the broth mixture to a boil and then add your pasta noodles. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cover the pan with a lid. Allow the pasta to cook for 10 minutes, or until soft.
    1 teaspoon dried minced onion, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, ¼ cup tomato paste, 1 cup tomato sauce, 2 cups beef broth, 1 pound cavatappi noodles
  • Fold in the sour cream and half of the cheddar cheese until the cheese is fully melted and evenly distributed among the beef and noodles.
    ½ cup sour cream, 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Transfer your casserole to an 8×8 inch baking dish and top with the remaining cheese.
    3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Cook your casserole for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Skip the Foil: There is no need to cover your casserole with tin foil while baking it.
Noodle Swaps: Other noodles you can use include elbow, penne, and bowtie. Any kind of noodle will work great in this recipe, but shorter noodles will work best.
Creamy Secret: The sour cream helps add some smoothness to the casserole. If you don’t have sour cream then you can use plain Greek yogurt.
Cheese Matters: Freshly shredded cheese will melt down much better than bagged cheese, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
Broth Does Double Duty: The beef broth both cooks the noodles and helps amplify the rich meaty flavor of the dish.
Tomato Paste Substitute: If you don’t have tomato paste then you can use 2 tablespoons of ketchup instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 767kcal, Carbohydrates: 63g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 40g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 121mg, Sodium: 1400mg, Potassium: 715mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 1029IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 464mg, Iron: 3mg
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How to Make Cheeseburger Casserole

A skillet on a marble countertop contains cooked ground beef with tomato sauce and paste in the center—perfect for assembling a hearty cheeseburger casserole. Nearby are bowls of cooked macaroni, sour cream, and additional sauce.
A skillet on a marble countertop filled with cooked ground beef in tomato sauce, topped with uncooked spiral pasta—perfect for a cheeseburger casserole. Small bowls with sour cream and sauce are nearby.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×8 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 2: Once the beef is cooked, stir in the beef broth, garlic salt, dried minced onion, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil and then add your pasta noodles. Reduce the heat and cover the pan with a lid. Allow the pasta to cook until soft. 

A skillet on a marble countertop filled with cheeseburger casserole—cooked macaroni, ground beef, and tomato sauce, topped with a mound of shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Nearby are bowls with remnants of sauce and sour cream.
A glass baking dish filled with cheeseburger casserole—baked macaroni and ground beef, topped with melted cheddar cheese—sits on a white marble surface.

Step 3: Fold in the sour cream and half of the cheddar cheese until the cheese is fully melted and evenly distributed.

Step 4: Transfer your mixture to a casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese. Cook in the oven until the cheese is bubbly. Serve and enjoy!

A plate of cheesy macaroni with ground beef, reminiscent of a hearty cheeseburger casserole, sits on a white surface next to two black forks and an orange napkin with white stripes.

Substitutions & Variations

Meat

Swap ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter version. Italian sausage (casings removed) adds a nice herby twist.

Cheese

Sharp cheddar is classic, but a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack or even pepper jack for some heat works beautifully.

Add-ins

Stir in diced pickles, a squirt of mustard, bacon crumbles, or a handful of diced white onion to really lean into the cheeseburger flavor profile.”

Make it spicy

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce to the broth mixture.

Gluten-free

Use your favorite gluten-free short pasta and ensure your broth is certified gluten-free.

A glass baking dish filled with cheeseburger casserole—baked macaroni and cheese topped with melted cheddar and ground beef—sits next to a wooden spoon, black utensils, a red napkin, a white plate, and a glass of milk on a marble surface.

FAQs for Cheeseburger Casserole

How can I make the casserole creamier?

This casserole will already have an amazing texture with the sour cream, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. However, if you want to turn this into a bacon cheeseburger casserole, simply add cooked bacon crumbles when you fold in the sour cream and cheese.

What type of pasta works best in this casserole recipe?

Cavatappi (also called corkscrew or scoobi-doo pasta) is ideal because its ridged, hollow shape holds onto the sauce beautifully. That said, elbow macaroni, penne, and bowtie pasta all work wonderfully. Stick to shorter noodle shapes for the best results — long pasta like spaghetti is trickier to fold and serve from a baking dish.

Can I make cheeseburger casserole in a slow cooker?

Yes! Cook the beef, then transfer it to your slow cooker. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, sour cream, and broth, and stir. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours. With 30 minutes left, stir in the uncooked noodles and top with cheese. The mixture will look watery, but the noodles will absorb the broth as they cook. Serve straight from the slow cooker.

My casserole looks a little dry — what happened?

This usually happens if the pasta absorbed more liquid than expected during the simmering step, which can vary based on your pasta brand and pan size. A splash of extra beef broth stirred in before transferring to the baking dish will fix it right up. Also make sure you’re simmering on low and keeping the lid on tight.

A wooden spoon holds a serving of cheesy cheeseburger casserole above a glass baking dish filled with the same hearty pasta dish.

My Best Tips for Making Cheeseburger Casserole

☞Shred your own cheese: Freshly shredded cheddar cheese melts far more smoothly than the pre-shredded variety from a bag, which contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy. It takes an extra two minutes and makes a real difference.

☞Don’t skip the sour cream: It might seem like a small addition, but the sour cream is what gives this casserole its creamy, cohesive texture. It pulls the sauce together and adds a subtle tang that balances the richness of the beef. Plain Greek yogurt works as a backup, but sour cream is worth seeking out.

☞Cook ground beef until no longer pink, then drain: If your ground beef has a higher fat content (80/20), drain the excess grease before adding your broth and tomato sauce. This keeps the final dish from feeling greasy and lets the other flavors come through clearly.

☞Keep the lid on during simmering: The pasta needs steam to cook properly in the broth mixture. If you peek too often or leave the lid off, it’ll take longer and could dry out before it’s tender.

☞Let it rest before serving: Give the casserole 5 minutes out of the oven before scooping. This helps everything settle and makes for cleaner, more satisfying portions.

How to Serve Cheeseburger Casserole 

Cheeseburger casserole is great for potlucks, big parties, or your everyday dinner. You can serve this casserole with a side of berry spinach salad, roasted broccoli or carrots, baked beans, or corn on the cob. For a finished look, sprinkle some chopped green onions on top before serving! 

Storage & Reheating Tips

Refrigerator Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer Storage

Cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Microwave individual servings for about 1 minute, stirring halfway through. Add a small splash of broth or water if it looks dry. You can also reheat the full casserole covered with foil in a 325°F oven for 20–25 minutes.

Make Ahead

Assemble through step 4, transfer to the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake as directed, adding 5–10 minutes to account for the cold start.

A glass baking dish filled with cheesy macaroni and ground beef, this cheeseburger casserole is topped with melted cheddar. A wooden spoon scoops out a hearty portion, while black utensils and a white napkin rest on the marble surface.

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Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. Sherrie Clark says:

    5 stars
    It was so easy to make, that it was making me wanting a cheeseburger!

    Reply
    1. Melissa says:

      Thanks for leaving so many great reviews Sherrie!

  2. Nickie English says:

    My noodles are not cooking correctly. Very disappointed as this has already taken me over a hour to make. Noodles are still not done so we might not be able to eat this dinner tonight. If I ever try this again I’d cook the noodles in water before adding to pot.

    Reply
    1. Melissa says:

      Hmmm, I’m not sure I understand. You are supposed to boil the noodles in the broth on the stove before adding them to the pan and baking longer.

  3. Kristin says:

    5 stars
    This was really easy and yummy!!
    Thankyou Melissa!

    Reply
  4. Yan stengow says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely amazing and quick

    Reply