Cheeseburger Casserole - (One Pot!) (2024)

Home » Casseroles » Cheeseburger Casserole – (One Pot!)

by Stephanie on March 13, 2019 (Updated June 14, 2021)246*This post may contain affiliate links. Read more »

Jump to Recipe

This Cheeseburger Casserole takes just 30 minutes to make in a single skillet! Your family will love this homemade hamburger helper!

Be sure to try my Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole next!

I think my family has been eating this cheesy, beefy macaroni at least every two weeks ever since I started making Instant Pot Hamburger Helper. But now that I can make this Cheeseburger Casserole in just one pot, I’m evenmorehooked.

PLUS, this is a perfect freezer meal. Read on for everything you need to know about this fabulous recipe.

⭐Do not miss my first PRO tip in this post, it will make you a better cook for life! ⭐

How to Make it

Note: This is an overview. See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Cook and crumble the ground beef and the onions. Add the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste and stir until combined. Add the beef broth and uncooked macaroni. Stir to combine.

Cover and heat for 5 minutes. Uncover, stir, then cover again and cook for 5 more minutes, until just al dente.

Stir in the sour cream and half of the milk. Only add the remaining milk if desired it for consistency purposes. Reduce the heat to low. Sprinkle on 2 + 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese. Let the cheese melt and the sauce become creamy. Top with remaining cheese and parsley. Serve!

Pro Tips
Refrain from adding cold ingredients into warm pasta when you prepare it. This includes the cheese, sour cream, and milk. (Otherwise, ingredients can separate, milk can curdle, and the consistency may become grainy.)
Shred the cheese yourself. Buy your cheese in blocks whenever possible and shred it at home. It will melt and taste much better. I use Heluva Good! Sharp Cheddar. It melts perfectly.

Make Ahead Method

If you prefer to to the prep work for this casserole ahead of time, prepare the recipe as-instructed but cook the pasta covered for 7 minutes instead of 8.
Stop at step #10, right before you top the casserole with additional cheese.
Let the casserole cool down,thentop it with cheese.
Refrigerate for up to two days, then bake it in a350 degreeoven, covered, for 15 minutes.
Remove the lid and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Top with parsley and serve!

Storing Leftovers

Refrigerator

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Try These Next!

: Mushroom Chicken

: Chicken Spaghetti

: Crock Pot Roast

: Baked Spaghetti

: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

: Broccoli Pasta

Get My Free Meal Plan

I’ve got a Free Meal Plan with 7 of my super popular recipes (complete with grocery list)! Sign up for my email list and I’ll send it over now along with weekly dinner recipes!

And follow me on Facebook,Instagram, andPinterest!

One Pot Cheeseburger Casserole

Prep Time: 8 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 22 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

4.95 from 100 ratings

Servings: 5 people

Tap or hover to scale

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

▢ 3 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, at room temp. Separated.
▢ 1 lb. Ground Beef, 85% lean
▢ Salt/Pepper, to taste
▢ 1 small yellow onion, diced
▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced
▢ 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
▢ 2 Tablespoon tomato paste
▢ 4 cups beef broth
▢ 1 (16 oz.) box elbow macaroni, *uncooked*
▢ ¾ cup sour cream, at room temp
▢ ½ cup whole milk, at room temp
▢ Chopped Parsley, to garnish

Instructions

Shred the cheese and set it aside. It should be at room temperature when added to the pasta later.
Season the ground beef with desired amount of salt and pepper.
In a large pot over medium heat, cook and crumble the ground beef along with the onions. Drain any excess grease.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Add the Worcestershire sauce and the tomato paste and stir until well-combined.
Add the beef broth and the uncooked macaroni, stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium or medium/low.
Cover the pot and heat for 5 minutes. Uncover, stir briefly, replace the cover, and heat for 5 more minutes, or until just al dente.
Reduce the heat to low.
Stir in the room temperature sour cream and half of the milk. Only add the other half if desired.
Gradually sprinkle in 2 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar, stirring as you do so.
Once the cheese is melted and you have a uniform consistency, top with the remaining cheese.
Replace the lid and heat for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
Top with parsley and serve!

Notes

Whole milk is recommended for a creamier consistency, but a lower fat milk may also be used.
A teaspoon of ketchup and yellow mustard can be added when the pasta is cooking to round out the cheeseburger flavors! A touch of dill pickle relish can also be added at the end.

Make-Ahead Method

If you prefer to to the prep work for this casserole ahead of time, prepare the recipe as-instructed but cook the pasta covered for 7 minutes instead of 8.
Stop at step #10, right before you top the casserole with additional cheese.
Let the casserole cool down,thentop it with cheese.
Refrigerate for up to two days, then bake it in a350 degreeoven, covered, for 15 minutes.
Remove the lid and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Top with parsley and serve!

Nutritional information is an estimate and is per serving. There are 5 servings in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 811kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 44g, Fat: 53g, Saturated Fat: 28g, Cholesterol: 167mg, Sodium: 1390mg, Potassium: 671mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1145IU, Vitamin C: 4.1mg, Calcium: 683mg, Iron: 3.6mg

Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Author: Stephanie

30 Minute Meals Beef Recipes Casseroles Dinner Freezer Food Italian Make Ahead Recipes One Pot Our Favorite Recipes Pasta

posted by Stephanie on March 13, 2019 — 246 Comments »

Order The Cozy Cookbook!

Easy Recipes. Extra Comfort.

Order your copy today!

« Previous PostChicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Next Post »Cheeseburger Salad

246 comments on “Cheeseburger Casserole – (One Pot!)”

Cindy — April 17, 2024 @ 5:04 pm Reply

Has anyone made using ground chicken? I have made before using the beef very good
- Stephanie — April 17, 2024 @ 8:05 pm Reply
  
  Hi Cindy! I don’t see any comments about readers making this with chicken. ❤️
Poppie — March 29, 2024 @ 6:44 pm Reply

After draining the meat Do I put it back in pot and boil with the maccaroni?or add it later?
- Stephanie — March 29, 2024 @ 7:46 pm Reply
  
  Hi Poppie, you drain the grease, but the meat stays in the skillet 🙂 You *could* set it aside and add it back at the end, but that’s not needed.
anon — March 22, 2024 @ 11:01 am Reply

I really wanted to use this recipe but you didn’t include the amounts of the ingredients??
- Stephanie — March 22, 2024 @ 11:10 am Reply
  
  Hi Anon! You scrolled right past the recipe card to leave this comment. The ingredient amounts and full written instructions are right above the comment section. (At the top of the page there is also a “jump to recipe” button that will zip you right to it!) Enjoy!
Shelley Hill — March 20, 2024 @ 3:12 pm Reply

Hi there all! Anyone know of a good substitute for Worcestershire Sauce? Or is it okay to just omit?
Thanks Kindly,
Shell
- Stephanie — March 20, 2024 @ 4:58 pm Reply
  
  Hi Shelley, you can omit it!
Barbie — March 15, 2024 @ 8:50 pm Reply

This is the best! My kids devour this every time I make it. Tastes equally delicious with cheddar or Colby Jack. Thanks for a great, easy and Delicious recipe!
- Stephanie — March 16, 2024 @ 11:10 am Reply
  
  You’re very welcome! Colby Jack is perfect. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!❤️
Leah — March 14, 2024 @ 6:53 pm Reply

We added in diced peppers and bacon. We didn’t have whole milk, but 1% worked fine. Followed all instructions and it turned out perfect!
Also measured cheese with our hearts.
- Stephanie — March 14, 2024 @ 7:46 pm Reply
  
  I love heart measurements🩷! Happy to hear it came out perfect Leah, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!