Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
8/18/2026
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This cheesy hamburger casserole is a cozy, family-friendly dinner made with macaroni, ground beef, tomatoes, and plenty of cheddar cheese. It has the savory, burger-inspired flavor everyone loves in a hearty baked pasta casserole that serves 8.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
- Classic comfort food: Macaroni, seasoned ground beef, tomato, and cheddar create the familiar, cheesy flavor of a cheeseburger in casserole form.
- Feeds a crowd: A 9×13-inch dish makes 8 satisfying servings for family dinner, a potluck, or planned leftovers.
- Weeknight-friendly: The recipe is ready in 45 minutes, including prep and bake time.
What Is Hamburger Casserole?
Hamburger casserole is a baked comfort-food dish that combines ground beef, pasta, tomato products, and cheese. This version uses macaroni noodles, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and cheddar for a saucy, savory casserole with cheeseburger-inspired flavor.
Key Ingredients
- Macaroni noodles: Elbow macaroni is classic, but another short pasta can work; cook it only until slightly under al dente so it finishes in the oven without becoming soft.
- Ground beef: The savory base of this hamburger casserole. Ground turkey or chicken can be used for a leaner variation.
- Tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste: These create the saucy base and add tangy depth.
- Beef broth and Worcestershire sauce: These ingredients add savory, burger-like depth to the casserole.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Use 2 cups in the casserole and reserve 1 cup for the melty topping.
Get More
Cheddar Cheese Recipes
Looking for more recipes with cheddar cheese? Check out our cheesy collection of cheddar cheese recipes.
Tips for the Best Hamburger Casserole
- Undercook the pasta: Boil the macaroni for 4–6 minutes, just shy of al dente. It absorbs sauce and finishes cooking as the casserole bakes.
- Use a 9×13-inch dish: This size gives the noodles room to bake evenly and holds all 8 servings.
- Let it rest: Allow the baked casserole to stand for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce settles and portions more neatly.
Topping Ideas
Finish each serving with diced green onions, or add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, hot sauce, shredded lettuce, or avocado. These fresh toppings are optional and let everyone customize their bowl.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Store leftover cheesy hamburger casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days. For a make-ahead dinner, bake the casserole completely, refrigerate it, then reheat it covered at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until the center is warm. This pasta casserole is best enjoyed from the refrigerator rather than frozen, since the noodles can become soft after thawing.
FAQs
Yes. Bake it completely, cool and refrigerate it, then reheat it covered at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until the center is warm.
Yes. Another short pasta can work in place of elbow macaroni. Cook it only until slightly under al dente because it will continue cooking in the oven.
Freezing is not recommended for this recipe because cooked noodles can become soft and watery after thawing and reheating.
This rich casserole pairs well with a crisp green salad or a simple vegetable. Toppings such as shredded lettuce, avocado, or green onions also add freshness to each serving.
Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 oz. macaroni noodles
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 white onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, separated
- 15 oz. canned tomato sauce
- 15 oz. canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- optional topping: diced green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set it aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook for 4–6 minutes, until it is slightly under al dente; the pasta will finish cooking in the oven.
- Drain the macaroni well and set it aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 2–3 minutes, breaking it into small pieces.
- Add the onion, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Continue cooking for about 2 minutes, until the beef is no longer pink and reaches 160°F; drain excess fat if needed.
- Add the drained macaroni, beef mixture, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, garlic powder, chili powder, and 2 cups cheddar to the prepared dish. Stir until evenly combined.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheddar evenly over the top.
- Return the dish to the oven for 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I followed the ingredients to the letter. However, I started by placing a pot of water on the gas stove and cooking on high. Then I fist cooked my garlic for a minute, added the ground beef. and while that was happening, I prepared the rest of the ingredients and waited for the water to boil. I added the rest of the ingredients to the ground beef and cooked that on medium high until almost all the water had boiled off. When the elbow were fully cooked, I strained the elbows and returned them to the same pot. Then added a half pound of shredded sharp cheddar. and then the beef and ingredients that now had almost no water left in it. I stirred every thing in the pot and added another half pound of cheddar. placed a lid on the pot and I let it cool. Perfect. It’s even better if allowed to sit in the refrigerator ove night.
Emily, this was absolutely delicious ๐๐. Thanks from myself as well as my family for the recipes! Looking for the next one!!!
Darryl
Aw, you’re so welcome Darryl!
Perfect for my next party!
Absolutely!
Can this be cooked in a slow cooker or crockpot please
This looks delious!! Can you make it a day ahead ?? Thank you in advance….
Darryl
Hi Darryl, You definitely can! If you’re making the day before, we recommend cooking completely and then reheating covered at 350ยฐF for 15 minutes (or until the center is warm) right before serving.
My family loves this recipe! It’s so easy to make, too.
Super easy and tasty. We thought it tasted more like a taco than a cheeseburger, but it was delicious nonetheless.
Glad you liked it either way!
An easy weeknight dish that can feed and please a crowd. I skipped the tomato paste because I didn’t have any, turned out just fine! Next time I’ll mix everything in a large bowl and then transfer to the pan because I’m a klutz and spilled so much during the pan-mixing step ๐.
Easy to make and good for a crowd! I plan to cook the onions a little longer before tossing them in the meat next time but otherwise, yum.
Thanks so much for your review!
Very flavorful and comforting! Easy to make on a weeknight.
Can you make this with potatoes instead of pasta?