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
- Beef and Veggies with Rice
- Bolognese Orzo (Risoni)
- 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!!
Hi Nagi, I have made this dish a few times and everyone loves the flavours but the only thing is the texture of the pasta cooked with everything. So tonight I made it in two separate parts the meat sauce and the pasta and added that in very last (not adding the extra water but just stock paste). Absolutely beautiful flavours thought. Yummmmmm. Thanks
tasty.
Love it! Easy to cook and taste so good! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!
LOVE THIS! I left out the corn/carrots/celery to keep it very true to being a cheeseburger, and added diced pickle chips on top to really drive the theme home. DELICIOUS! Thanks, Nagi – you have become my go-to for flavor-forward recipes!!
Sounds great!!! N x
I must of butchered this one… came out wayyyy too liquid-y! Let it boil with lid off for an extra two minutes and it seemed to fix it only a little bit! Oh no!
Oh no!!! Sorry you had issues here Emma, did you follow the recipe exactly? N x
I want to make this tonight for dinner but dont have tomato paste….what can I sub it with?
Hi Rachel, tomato sauce or pasta will be fine. N x
Just made this tonight with lamb mince (beef was all sold out!) and served with a fresh mixed leaf salad with your French dressing. Left out the chili for the five-year-old. So easy and delicious. Will make again. X
YUM! Sounds great Shari! N x
Finding this site has made cooking dinner so much better. It has given us a break from the normal dishes that we make. We get excited every time we look at the site and it always makes us hungry. Looking forward to making so many more things.
Just made this and it was delicious!
Hi Nagi, would Mexican Chili Powder work in place of American Chili Powder?
Yes definitely Angela, just use to taste as I’m not sure how hot you like it! N x
The meals look so good and yummy and it doesnt take alot of time to make the dishes up
Soooo yummy!! My bf who’s eaten A TON of hamburger helper even asked where I got the recipe 🙂 Adding this to our list of favorites.
Hi, I’m curious as to why you use chicken broth rather than beef broth?
Hi Wendy, beef has a much stronger flavour and would overpower the dish here – chicken works perfectly 🙂 N x
Great meal on a chilly night! Lot of leftovers for freezing as well — Thanks Nagi! And give Dozer a pat on his head for us!
Wahoo! That’s great to hear Nadine! N x
FYI; I live in America and have access to Chili powder of course, but can’t you guys order from McCormick’s, on line, For their ‘Dark chili powder? ‘ This is the most American you can buy! Stay safe!
Hi Redonia, I just use what’s readily available in the supermarket without having to order online and pay for shipping 🙂 N x
It’s been a while since I cooked this but it went down an absolute storm. I’m currently doing a lot of recipe surfing as I’m laid up with suspected Coronavirus (am on the mend, and luckily symptoms have been relatively mild). When I asked my boyfriend what he’d like the for first meal I cook once we regain our senses of taste and smell he replied, without hesitation, Cheeseburger Casserole. That’s how good it was!!!
Oh no Kerry, hope you feel better soon!! N x
I just fish cooking your Cheeseburger casserole , and it’s so good !!! Thanks
WOOT, I’m so happy you love it Sandra! N x
Just wondering if the American chilli is similar to the Hoyts Cajun spice mix?
No it’s different Eleri! N x