By Laurel Perry
Updated Aug 11, 2025
This easy and cheesy Cheeseburger Casserole recipe is the weeknight dinner of my dreams! Ground beef, macaroni, tomato paste, tons of cheese, and a few simple pantry ingredients come together with simple steps. It’s a hearty and satiating ground beef casserole that my kids never complain about!
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5-Star Review
“So delicious! Will be making again for sure” – Claire
Easy Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Me and the kids love cheeseburgers and macaroni, so why not combine the two comfort foods for one deliciously cheesy casserole? I always have some ground beef in the freezer and a few half-empty boxes of pasta in the pantry, so I usually have everything I need on hand to make this recipe.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 12 oz. dry elbow macaroni or any short shaped pasta will work
- ▢ 1½ lbs. ground beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
- ▢ 1 small yellow onion diced
- ▢ 2 tbsp tomato paste ketchup also works though it’s sweeter
- ▢ 3 garlic cloves minced
- ▢ 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ▢ 1 tsp chili powder
- ▢ 1 tsp salt
- ▢ ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ▢ 1½ cups heavy cream
- ▢ ¼ cup beef broth
- ▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided, other cheeses work too*
- ▢ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- ▢ 1 tsp sliced green onion optional for garnish
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 ° F. Grease a baking dish.**
- In a large pot of salted water, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. 12 oz. dry elbow macaroni
- While the pasta cooks, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat in a large skillet, breaking up the beef with a spoon until the beef is no longer pink, and the onion is translucent. 1½ lbs. ground beef, 1 small yellow onion
- Add in the tomato paste, garlic, Italian seasoning, chili powder, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant and the tomato paste darkens in color. 2 tbsp tomato paste, 3 garlic cloves, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Add in the pasta, heavy cream, beef broth, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. 1½ cups heavy cream, ¼ cup beef broth, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Transfer to a baking dish (or leave in your oven safe skillet) and top with the remaining cheese. Cover and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake, or broil for a darker crust, for 5 more minutes. 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Let cool for 10 minutes, garnish with green onions, and serve. 1 tsp sliced green onion
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Cheeseburger Casserole Step by Step
Cook pasta: Preheat the oven to 400 ° F and grease a baking dish (if using a separate dish). In a large pot of salted water, cook 12 oz. of dry elbow macaroni pasta according to the package directions, then drain and set aside.
Brown the ground beef: While the pasta cooks, cook 1½ lbs. of ground beef and 1 small yellow onion (diced) over medium heat in a large skillet. Break up the beef with a spoon, cooking until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is translucent.
Stir in ingredients: Add in 2 tbsp of tomato paste, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp of Italian seasoning, 1 tsp of chili powder, 1 tsp of salt, and ½ tsp of ground black pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant and the tomato paste darkens in color.
Add pasta: Add in the cooked pasta, 1½ cups of heavy cream, ¼ cup of beef broth, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake casserole: Transfer casserole to a baking dish (or leave in your oven safe skillet), then top with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the dish and bake for 15 minutes. Then uncover and continue baking (or broil for a darker crust) for 5 more minutes.
Cool and serve: Let the cheeseburger casserole cool for 10 minutes, then garnish with 1 tsp of sliced green onions and serve.
How to Store
If you like to meal prep, this casserole can be made a day or two ahead of time. If you find it has dried out, drizzle with a bit of beef broth or heavy cream.
Store leftover cheeseburger casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days, or freeze for 3 months.
For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F until fully warmed through, or simply microwave for convenience. If frozen, thaw before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This cheeseburger casserole pairs perfectly with potatoes of all kinds, from classic French fries to baked potatoes , or even fluffy tater tots . To sneak in some veggies, add green beans with bacon or cheesy zucchini .
More Ground Beef Casseroles to Try
Hamburger Casserole Recipe
Taco Casserole
Hamburger Helper
Frito Pie Casserole Recipe
Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz. dry elbow macaroni or any short shaped pasta will work
- 1½ lbs. ground beef 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste ketchup also works though it’s sweeter
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup beef broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided, other cheeses work too*
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 tsp sliced green onion optional for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 ° F. Grease a baking dish.**
- In a large pot of salted water, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. 12 oz. dry elbow macaroni
- While the pasta cooks, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat in a large skillet, breaking up the beef with a spoon until the beef is no longer pink, and the onion is translucent. 1½ lbs. ground beef, 1 small yellow onion
- Add in the tomato paste, garlic, Italian seasoning, chili powder, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant and the tomato paste darkens in color. 2 tbsp tomato paste, 3 garlic cloves, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Add in the pasta, heavy cream, beef broth, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. 1½ cups heavy cream, ¼ cup beef broth, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Transfer to a baking dish (or leave in your oven safe skillet) and top with the remaining cheese. Cover and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake, or broil for a darker crust, for 5 more minutes. 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Let cool for 10 minutes, garnish with green onions, and serve. 1 tsp sliced green onion
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
