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Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburger casserole with seasoned ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a ketchup-mustard cheesy sauce baked until bubbly and golden. Divided cheddar melts through the mixture and blankets the top for a classic cheeseburger-style finish.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
resting 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 460
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

ground beef
  • 1.5 lb ground beef
onion
  • 1 onion small, diced
elbow macaroni
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni cooked
ketchup
  • 1 cup ketchup
mustard
  • 1 tbsp mustard
shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
milk
  • 0.5 cup milk
salt and pepper
  • 1 salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet
  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and preheat
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and set out a baking dish so it’s ready to fill after browning.
Brown the beef and onion
  1. Brown ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium-high heat, then season with salt and pepper until the beef is no longer pink.
Mix the casserole
  1. Stir in ketchup, mustard, cooked elbow macaroni, milk, and half the shredded cheddar until the cheese begins to melt and the sauce looks evenly coated.
Assemble
  1. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with the remaining cheddar so the surface bakes up golden.
Bake
  1. Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until bubbly around the edges and golden on top.
Rest and serve
  1. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes so it thickens slightly before serving.

Notes

For the best texture, cook the elbow macaroni just shy of al dente since it finishes baking; if it seems thick before baking, add a splash of milk. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat in a 350°F oven or microwave until hot. Freezing is yes—cool completely, cover tightly, and freeze up to 2 months, then thaw in the fridge and reheat. For a lighter option, use lean ground beef (or plant-based ground) and reduced-fat cheddar while keeping the same bake time.