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Cheeseburger Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

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Family-friendly comfort food! This easy cheeseburger casserole combines ground beef, macaroni, cheese, pickles, and toasted hamburger buns for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups cooked elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup dill pickle slices, chopped
  • Sesame seed hamburger buns, toasted and cubed (about 4 buns)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Crumble as it cooks and drain off any excess grease.
  2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Combine the Sauce Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth.
  4. Mix the Sauce with the Meat and Vegetables: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the ground beef and vegetables. Stir well to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  6. Combine the Macaroni and Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooked elbow macaroni with the meat mixture. Stir well to coat the macaroni.
  7. Add Cheese and Pickles: Add 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and the chopped dill pickle slices to the macaroni and meat mixture. Stir gently to combine.
  8. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the macaroni and meat mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread evenly.
  9. Top with Buns and Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the cubed, toasted sesame seed hamburger buns evenly over the top of the casserole. Then, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the buns.
  10. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The buns should be lightly golden brown.
  11. Let it Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook the macaroni; cook it al dente.
  • Toast the hamburger buns before adding them to the casserole to prevent sogginess.
  • Freshly grated cheese melts more evenly than pre-shredded cheese.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture or use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. You could also add bacon bits for extra flavor.
  • You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
  • This casserole can also be frozen for later. Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

Find it online: https://mmmflavors.com/cheeseburger-casserole/