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!!
This is so amazing! I made the entire thing and then realized I forgot to put the cheese through it…and it was already cooled down. I tasted it and it was so good as is! I think I’ll just put cheese on top when I reheat it. Thanks for another delish recipe!
I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed it Michele, even without the cheese! Thank you very much for your message – N xx
THE BEST ONE POT MEAL !!! Fantastic when your late home from work and its cold and wet outside
mmm Thanks Nagi
That’s so fantastic to hear Dianne! Thanks for trying my recipe and letting me know you enjoyed it! N xx
Nagi, you have really come through for me today! I was just thinking about what to serve for dinner tonight. Wanted something comforting but not too complicated for a cold rainy day and this recipe totally fits the bill. And the best part is that I already have all the ingredients! Thanks Nagi!!
I know what you mean! This is fast becoming one of my go-tos because I seem to always have the ingredients!
THIS! So delicious and easy — win win! I’d intended to add a little sour cream to boost the creaminess but forgot, and it didn’t need it: perfect as is. The fresh tomatoes and green onions on top were not only pretty and healthy but added even more great flavor. Genius!
Thank you for posting this recipe, and I’m so glad to have found it. Bookmarking your site!
I’m so pleased to hear that Anya!! Thanks for letting me know! N xx
Wanted something to make with hamburger but I didn’t want spaghetti or burgers. This was perfect! Quick and easy and comforting on a dreary day.
I’m so pleased to hear that Sandra, thank you for letting me know! N xx
Hi Nagi! If I were to omit the pasta and use this on zucchini noodles, should I eliminate most of the broth? (Do you think the dish will work okay without the pasta? I know it will be a different beast entirely, but hoping to still be delicious!) Thank you so much for all of your work!
Hi Stephanie! I think it will be very different without the pasta but much healthier! Yes leave out the broth and you’ll need to add more salt (or better yet, use a chicken bouillon cube, crumbled 🙂 I think it will still be delicious! N xx
Hi Nagi. Can I use bolognese or basil tomato sauce? will it have major effect on the taste?
Thanks so much, Nagy, everyone LOVED it! I’ve made several of these types of casseroles over the years, but this is definitely the best I’ve eaten! I know what you mean about the burning mouth. I had a dental cleaning the day after I fixed it. My hygienist likes to play this game of trying to guess what patients have burned their mouth on. She guessed “Cheese” – yep, the whole roof of my mouth. I just couldn’t help it as it was so good!
Question for you: I am looking for a recipe for garlic green beans. I used to go to this little Chinese place (long closed) that made the best – they were tender but also kind of crispy, no doubt with some oil. I’ve tried to create them, but haven’t had any luck.
Help much appreciated and Thanks for all you do!
Fantastic to hear that Annie! Thanks for letting me know! I think this is what you are after -> http://omnivorescookbook.com/szechuan-dry-fried-green-beans/ This is one of my favourite blogs for proper Chinese recipes! N x
THIS IS SO GOOD!
I have to admit, I was extremely skeptical at first, (thinking “Really? Cheeseburger casserole?! Could be amazingly awesome or traumatisingly terrible…Not sure which”) but I had all the ingredients handy and thought why not?
I am pleased to say that my household is firmly in the amazingly awesome camp!
I am slightly embarrassed to admit I squirted mustard over my helping and stirred it in and I think it made it even better, if such a thing is possible 🙂 Can’t have a cheeseburger without mustard!
AWESOME!!! I’m so glad to hear that Chris, thanks for letting me know! N xx PS No shame re: mustard!!!!
Ohmygosh absolutely amazing! I’ve never heard of a cheeseburger casserole/hamburger helper before but I made this yesterday and it was INCREDIBLE! I didn’t realise that it was a one pot meal (more fool me for not reading the instructions thoroughly!) and it was so flavourful and so yummy!
I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed this Beth, thank you for letting me know! N x
I have made this recipe numerous times, following it exactly- we absolutely love it. I’m making it tonight for dinner with ground chicken instead of beef (this is what I have on hand and need to use it before it expires). I cannot wait, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
I must admit, the one thing I don’t technically following to the T= amount of cheese. I never measure cheese, I just add it until I’m happy 🙂 Cheese is happiness.
Thanks Nagi! Love love love your recipes.
OMG I burst out into laughter!!! Do you know how annoying I find it to have to measure the cheese?? I’m exactly like you! Just add until I’m happy!!!! So glad you love this too Martina, this is one of my go-tos!
I have just finished cooking your version of homemade hamburger helper and just by taste testing it’s amazing! I have substituted the ground beef for ground chicken and celery for reb belle peppers. Thank you so much for this easy yummy dinner recipe/idea! Phenomenal ?
I’m so happy to hear you loved it Amber! Thank you so much for letting me know – N xx
I made this last night and both my husband and I adored it! I added some red peppers to it as well, and I love how much leftovers we have! This was easy to make and I love that it’s all in one pot! 🙂
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it Emme, thanks for letting me know! I love this recipe too 🙂 N x
I made it tonight with egg noodles since it was all I had. It turned out well, but I think it would have been better without the added tomato paste.
Hi Norma! glad to hear it came out well! Out of curiosity, what didn’t you like about the tomato paste? I feel without it that it lacks a bit of flavour 🙂
I made this last weekend. I didn’t have the macaroni (I was sure that I did), so I used shell shaped pasta. It turned out much saucier than your appears to, but OH MY! it was so good! I am going to make it again with macaroni-and see if that changes the sauce to pasta ratio.
Fantastic to hear Cheryl! Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoyed it! N x PS And yes, the shell shaped pasta has less surface area so would have absorbed less liquid = saucier 🙂 N xx
Nagi, I’m new to your blog, but after making this, I will be back for more! Thank you! This was very tasty! I did make several changes because that’s a compulsion for me, but I can tell this recipe would be delicious either as a base or in its entirety. I added food processed carrots, mushrooms, green bell pepper, fresh garlic cloves, jalapeño, and spinach; because I love to add veggies in a way my family can’t remove them! I also added a few dashes Worcestershire, 1 tsp season salt (because I use a low sodium Chicken broth), just a bit of cumin, and 2 Tbsp BBQ sauce. This was incredible! Because of my changes, it was more like a goulash than cheeseburger casserole, but honestly very very good! Long story short fellow comments readers -don’t be afraid to load up on veggies – the flavors of this dish handle them perfectly!
I love that you customised it! So glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much for letting me know Nikki! N xx
Hi Nagi! Thank you so much for the made from scratch hamburger helper recipe! I made it for dinner and my family love it! I used to buy the box, but since my children are older, I stop buying it. I found your blog yesterday and I came across this recipe. Needless to say, you’ve gained a new subscriber! I love how your recipes. They are easy to follow and you use simple ingredients.
It’s so wonderful to hear you enjoyed it Marama, thank you for letting me know!! N x
Hi Nagi, thanks for the recipe. I’m going to make it this evening, I will let you know how it turns out.
Oooh! Hope you love it!
Hello again Nagi, I made the cheeseburger casserole last night and it was awesome. Thank you for the recipe, I didn’t change a thing. I look forward to your free cook books.
It’s so wonderful to hear you enjoyed it John, thank you for letting me know!! N x
A good and quick recipe, but you have to add more flavor to it, be more creative – green and red chili, more garlic, more herbs and spices…
Thanks for the suggestions Lidia! I actually love this recipe as it is 🙂 Jo’s recipes are phenomenal!
Made it! Was really good. I doubled the recipe for large family. I used celery powder as my family not a big fan and added sliced mushrooms and red peppers. Great recipe!
I’m so glad you and the family enjoyed it Patricia, thank you for letting me know! N x