Cheeseburger Casserole is a one pot, 30 minute recipe that’s outrageously good. Beefy, cheesy and saucy, it tastes like cheeseburgers in pasta form. It’s a homemade Hamburger Helper – a tastier and much healthier version of the popular boxed pasta!
I love a good one pot recipe, and this one sits alongside reader favourites including Greek Chicken & Lemon Rice, Sausage Bake with Vegetables and Gravy, Baked Chicken with Garlic Butter Rice and the one skillet Asian Beef Noodles!
“It’s beefy, cheesy and saucy – Hamburger Helper tastes like cheeseburgers in pasta form!”
Cheeseburger Casserole
The first time I published this recipe, I said that I burnt my mouth taste testing this straight out of the pot.
And almost 3 years later, I’m saying the same thing – yet again, I burnt my mouth.
I took a small taste to check for seasoning. Had a swoon moment, then scooped up a huge spoonful and shovelled it in my mouth.
And totally scorched the entire roof of my mouth. OUCH.
Here’s an up close and personal look at the offender. Look at it. Can you blame me for my lack of self control??
Another ground beef recipe!
I’m a big fan of ground beef (mince) recipes because it’s economical, requires no chopping and it’s a terrific sponge for flavour.
So for those of you who put a packet of beef mince in your shopping basket this week, this Cheeseburger Casserole is for you! The key ingredients are fairly standard pantry items. And the items that are not can be substituted:
carrot, celery and corn are optional. Feel free to add other chopped veg
some subs available for the spices
The cheese is not optional. If you skip it, then this pretty much becomes a bolognese, hmm??
One pot! 20 minutes!
The beauty of this recipe is the speed at which it has to be cooked. You cannot cook the pasta for longer than 12 minutes, otherwise your sauce will disappear and you’ll end up with overly soft pasta.
It’s a 19 minute job on the stove:
Onion, garlic, celery, carrot – 4 minutes
Brown beef – 3 minutes
Add the other stuff and stir – 2 minutes
Cook – 8 minutes (no peeking!)
Stir & Cheese – 1 minute
Melt -2 minutes
TOTAL 20 minutes
(PS I used to work in finance. This is the extent of the maths I do nowadays 🤓)
This Cheeseburger Casserole is a recipe from my good friend Jo from Jo Cooks. It’s one of many fabulous one pot recipes in her cookbook, 30 Minute One Pot Meals.
I originally shared this recipe back in 2016 to celebrate the release of her cookbook. It was fabulous then, and it’s just as fabulous now. ❤️
Sometimes, I reduce the amount of pasta (because I always have half packets 250g/8oz lying around!) and up the veg quota. Zucchini and red peppers /capsicum are ideal. Jo also suggests topping it with diced tomato which is a great topping.
If you do this, then you might not need a side salad. But if you do, try your garden salad or steamed vegetables with French Dressing, Balsamic Dressing or my favourite Italian Dressing. Or make a big batch of Broccoli Salad that will last you days and days! – Nagi x
PS And if you feel like a total carb blow out, add a side of Better-Than-Dominos Garlic Bread. *She swoons at the thought and her skinny jeans are cursing*
More One Pot Ground Beef / Mince recipes
Chili Mac – mash up of Mac and Cheese with Chilli Con Carne, so good!
Asian Beef and Ramen Noodles – one skillet, 15 minutes
Taco Soup – don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, it’s amazing!
Browse all One Pot recipes and Ground Beef / Mince recipes
Cheeseburger Casserole
Watch how to make it
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Cheeseburger Casserole (Homemade Hamburger Helper)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 small carrot * , chopped (optional)
- 1 celery stalk * , chopped (optional)
- 500 g/ 1 lb ground beef (mince) , preferably lean
- 12 oz / 340g dried macaroni , uncooked
- 1/2 cup frozen corn * , optional
- 2 cups chicken broth/stock, low sodium
- 1 tbsp hot sauce or Sriracha sauce , adjust to taste
- 1 tsp American chili powder (Note 1)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder , or sub onion powder
- 800 g / 28 oz crushed tomato
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 – 2 cups (150 – 200g) cheddar or tasty cheese, shredded (Note 3)
- 1 cup (100g) mozzarella cheese , for topping
Garnish (optional)
- 1 green onion , sliced
Instructions
- Heat oil in a dutch oven or large deep skillet over medium high heat.
- Add onion and garlic, cook 1 minute.
- Add celery and carrot, cook 3 minutes until soft.
- Increase heat to high and add beef. Cook, breaking it up as you go, until no longer pink – 3 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients EXCEPT cheese. Stir to combine, add macaroni, then turn down to medium or medium low so it’s simmering gently.
- Cover, cook 8 minutes. Pasta should be just about cooked, and still nice and saucy.
- Add cheddar cheese, stir. Top with mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with lid, cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Remove from stove. The pasta should now be cooked – tender but firm, not mushy, slick with sauce, not dried out.
- Serve immediately, garnished with green onions, if using.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
This is the same Dozer photo I shared when I first published this recipe back in 2016 – Dozer looking at Jo’s cookbook instead of the food.
We all know I was holding a treat just out of frame to make him do that.
But she loves the photo so much anyway, I can’t change it!!
About a month ago, my husband and I watched “The 33” movie. Thirty three miners were trapped underground for 69 days. They were starving and dreamed of food their loved ones could bring them. I asked my husband what dish he would dream I could bring him and he said the one you made last week – the cheeseburger casserole. He absolutely loved this dish and this is quite a compliment for your recipe!
Woah what a compliment – I’m so glad it was a hit Mary!!! I’m to sure what I’d ask for… it would definitely be some sort of carb heavy comfort food! – N x
This was quick and easy and delicious. Better than that boxed stuff! My 6 year old even loved it, so that’s a keeper! I did reduce the chili powder and no hot sauce because my chili powder is from New Mexico and quite hot, and I wanted my kids to eat it! Thanks!
Sounds great Karen, I’m so glad it was a hit!
This was great – thank you. Quick and easy to make for a Friday night dinner after work, and enjoyed by the whole family – even the three kids, who said it was spicy, but yum!
I’m so glad it was a hit Kate, you can always leave out the chilli if you prefer ❤️
I made this last night and it tasted great. However I feel that I need to add more herbs, salt, and definitely more cheese next time. Husband said it was not cheesy enough so I added grated parmesan on top which was sooo good. Next time if I have time, I will use homemade tomato sauce with all herbs I usually add. I also want to suggest adding the size of suitable dutch oven for this recipe. I used 2.5 litres size and it was way too small.
This was super easy and quick however the taste didn’t really excite me. I wanted to love it, but it was just “fine”.
Hi Lauren, I’m so sorry you thought it was just fine, I always try to create bold flavours in my recipes – did you follow the recipe exactly? – N x
Hi Nagi, you mentioned in the comments below that there is a recipe scaler, however, I cannot find it. Can you please guide me to it. As I have 390g beef. Thank you. Super excited to try this.
Hi Sameera, just hover your mouse over the serving size in the recipe card ❤️
Hi Nagi…
I’m trying to use the Scaler on the card for Cheeseburger Casserole, and I wanted to double the recipe. When I try to change the Serving Number, it’s only giving me 1, 5, 20, and then Doubles from there on out.
I hovered And tapped but it won’t let me see 10 servings.
What am I doing wrong?
Christie in California
Hi Christine, It’s working fine on my end, maybe try another browser 🙂
Made this tonight but my hamburger was frozen took longer. Was delis
Wahoo! Thanks for the feedback Tess – N x
I made this with a few revisions. I added 1/2 can roasted tomatoes, omitted the tomato paste, and mozzerela cheese (because I didn’t have any). My guest said it tasted just like Hamburger Helper which in his book is a good thing.
Woot! Great stuff!
I made this earlier this week and it was delightful. Needless to say, I’m excited for the leftovers we will be having tonight !!! Thank you for another great recipe!
Ohh this is perfect for left overs! Enjoy!
This is literally the best recipe in existence! If you’ve never made it. It’s delicious and easy. I made with pork because I struggle to get beef mince where I love and it was delicious with that as well! If you haven’t made it, make it tomorrow!
This looks so tasty! I will definitely need to try it soon….
Hope you get a chance to! N x
Here again to say (as others do) that you cannot do wrong by cooking with Nagi. Husband had to have seconds. Only time I’ve ever used packaged help was an onion soup mix with sour cream. I’ve never purchased Hamburger Helper but this is so great! Thanks, Nagi!
You’re so welcome Eleanore ❤️
I followed this recipe but I used mixed veggies and it turned out great. My husband loved it and so did I. Thanks very much.
OK Nagi, this is getting rediculous. I want to make everything you post. Stop. (NOT!) I think every meal for the past two weeks has been something from you.
On another note, have you ever watched the “Tuckerbudzin” videos? Hilarious. https://www.facebook.com/MetDaanAnimals/videos/329892370988962/UzpfSTEwMDAwNjI2ODQ1OTMwMDoyMzI4NzY4Mzg3MzQyMDg3/. Enjoy
I totally agree with Kris – your website has been the go to for every meal lately :O) Not too complicated, very tasty and never have to alter a thing! Very very grateful for all your posts Nagi and your videos!
I haven’t! Will check it out! PS I have no plans to stop! ever!!
Great recipe! I just chopped chicken breast as I didn’t have beef. Didn’t read all instructions and I should have watched the video… so I put in all cheese at once so I wondered why it looked different. Either way the taste was awesome… from my 9 month to the dad..we all enjoyed!
That’s terrific Essie! I mean, that it was still tasty!! 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi, I have made a very similar recipe but using brown lentils instead of the beef because my daughter can’t eat meat. Its delicious and freezes well as I take the leftovers to work for lunchs.
Ooh that’s clever! It’s terrific to hear it works so well with lentils! N x
Dear Nagi, I just wanted to let you know that in the photo of all the ingredients, you have the bowl of dried pasta labelled as ‘sugar’. Surely not…!
Looks yummy, by the way; the Husband is demanding we try this as soon as we’ve finished the big dish of shepherd’s pie I made with the last pack of beef mince.
Oh bugger! Thank you Kate, I will fix it now 🙂 N xx PS Mustn’t disappoint hubby!! 🙂 N x
I love all your recipes. You are very inspirational. I always use up 500g packet of packet. What stick ratio do you suggest.
Hi Branka! There’s a recipe scaler so just slide it until you hit 500g pasta and it will change all the ingredients for you! 🙂 N x
In Ghana there is a word, pelinti, which means moving hot food around in your mouth. 🙂
Which I excel at – wait, I mean I cannot RESIST doing!! 😂
I freeze American Chop Suey, which is very similar, all the time and it freezes, thaws and reheats very well.
What a terrific tip, I’ve never tried 🙂 N x