One Pot Cheeseburger Casserole

Enjoy a comforting, one-pot meal with our Cheeseburger Casserole. This easy recipe combines all your favorite cheeseburger flavors—ground beef, cheese, and savory seasonings—into a hearty, family-friendly dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

You can think of this Cheeseburger Casserole as a classic hamburger casserole or even a John Wayne casserole. No matter what you call it, it’s a hearty dish that comes together effortlessly with simple ingredients. If you’re in the mood for another comforting casserole, check out our tater tot casserole recipe, bacon cheeseburger pasta skillet, cheesy chili and macaroni casserole, and pizza pasta bake.

Why We Love This Casserole Recipe

• Comes together quickly. It takes a mere half hour to make this super simple casserole. 
• Just like cheeseburgers. This dish brings together all of the flavors of a traditional cheeseburger without the hassle of making patties. 
• Crowd-pleasing. If you’re looking for a meal that the entire family will be rushing to the table for, this is it! 
• Nearly no dishes. One-pot recipes cut down on cleanup so you don’t need to spend your time scrubbing pots and pans.

What’s In This Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Ground Beef – 93% Lean
• Yellow Onion
• Seasonings: dried parsley, black pepper, onion, powder, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes
• Beef Broth – both vegetable broth or chicken broth will work
• Dry Elbow Macaroni – any other short pasta shapes can be used.
• Petite Diced Tomatoes With Green Chiles – drained
• Ketchup
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Better Than Bouillon – Beef
• Cheddar Cheese
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Cream Cheese – room temp
• Sour Cream – room temp
• Whole Milk – 2% will work if that’s what you have on hand.
• Fresh Parsley – chopped

Simple Directions

This comforting casserole is incredibly easy to make. And since you only need one pot, the cleanup is a cinch, too!

When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Cook the beef and diced onion with the spices in an oven-safe pot, stirring occasionally.
2. After browning the beef, add the broth, macaroni, tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and Better than Bouillon.
3. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to let it simmer.
4. Stir in some of the cheddar and mozzarella, then add the cream cheese, sour cream, and milk. Cook until the sauce thickens.
5. Top with the remaining cheese and place in the oven to melt and brown the cheese.
6. Remove the pot from the oven, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Kitchen Tips

• For ovens without a broil setting, turn the temperature to 500° F to brown the top and melt the cheese. 
• Using lean ground beef will prevent the casserole from having excess grease.
• If you don’t have an oven-safe pot, simply transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and brown the cheese under the broiler.
• Pre-diced onions from the grocery store are a time-saver.

How To Store + Reheat

One of the best things about this easy casserole is that it lasts for days. It’s a fantastic make-ahead meal!

Cover completely cooled leftover cheeseburger casserole with plastic wrap or aluminum foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. 

You can freeze the entire casserole or, for easy defrosting, store it in individual servings. It will last up to 2 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheat leftovers by warming them in a baking dish at 350°F in the oven, or a skillet on the stovetop, or gently reheating them in the microwave.

Variations + Additions

• Meat – Instead of using beef, try ground chicken, ground turkey, or a combination of ground meats. Or turn it into a bacon cheeseburger casserole by sprinkling in diced cooked bacon.
• Spiciness – If you’re looking for a kick of heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes, add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper powder or chili powder, or add a splash of hot sauce. 
• Cheese – Swap out some or all of the mozzarella for other types of cheese. American cheese and pepper jack both work well.
• Tomato – For more tomato flavor, add a dollop of tomato paste. Or, swap some of the canned tomatoes for a bit of your favorite tomato sauce.
• Pasta – Instead of macaroni use pasta shells or bowtie pasta.
• Sesame – If you’re a fan of sesame seed buns with your traditional burger, try sprinkling some sesame seeds on top of the dish for garnish. 
• Vegetables – If you’re looking for a way to sneak veggies in, this casserole is a great way to do it! Try adding bell pepper, beans, zucchini, or squash.

Serving Suggestions

With meat, starch, and dairy, this is already one hearty casserole! However, you can also serve this hamburger casserole with an Italain side salad, oven-roasted broccoli, or classic deviled eggs. Or, if you want to serve classic cheeseburger sides, try tater tots or fries.

Like This Recipe?

I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review below and let me know how you liked the recipe!

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One Pot Cheeseburger Casserole

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Enjoy our one-pot Cheeseburger Casserole as a classic hamburger casserole or even a John Wayne casserole. No matter what you call it this easy recipe combines all your favorite cheeseburger flavors—ground beef, cheese, and savory seasonings—into a hearty, family-friendly dish that's perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (93% lean)
• ½ cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups dried elbow macaroni
• 10 ounces petite diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon - Beef
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ packet (4 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
• ½ cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

1. To a oven-safe deep skillet or pot add the ground beef, onion, dried parsley, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook and stir over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until the beef is no longer pink. 
2. Add the broth, macaroni, tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and Better Than Bouillon.
3. Bring to a boil on high. Turn down the heat to medium so it is simmering. Cook uncovered for 9 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally, so the macaroni doesn’t stick to the bottom.
4. Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and milk. Mix until combined and stir for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce is thicker.
5. Top with the remainder of the cheese. 
6. Place in the oven and broil for 2-4 minutes or until the top is golden brown. 
7. Sprinkle parsley on top and enjoy.

Notes

TIPS

• For ovens without a broil setting, turn the temperature to 500° F to brown the top and melt the cheese. 
• Using lean ground beef will prevent the casserole from having excess grease.
• If you don't have an oven-safe pot, simply transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and brown the cheese under the broiler.
• Pre-diced onions from the grocery store are a time-saver.