If you like Hamburger Helper, you're going to love this easy and delicious Cheesy Hamburger Casserole recipe! This creamy pasta with ground beef is so cheesy and comforting!
Jump to:
Your entire family is going to love this easy pasta dish. It's perfect for busy weeknight meals. Think of it a little bit like a homemade hamburger helper... but better!
I'll be the first to admit that there are some seriously picky eaters in my house. However, when I serve this cheesy casserole, everyone is ready to eat!
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- You only need a few simple ingredients for this delicious casserole.
- It's easy to adjust the seasonings to suit your tastes.
- This is a great recipe for potlucks, parties, and weeknight meals.
- It only takes 35 minutes from start to finish!
🧂 Ingredients
This is meant to be a brief overview of the Cheesy Hamburger Casserole recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.
- elbow pasta
- lean ground beef
- yellow onion
- fresh garlic
- Worcestershire sauce
- tomato soup
- beef broth or stock
- cream cheese
- whole milk
- shredded cheddar cheese
- salt and black pepper
- parsley (optional)
🔪 Instructions
- In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, cook the diced onions and ground beef.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Drain any excess grease from the beef.
- Add the beef stock (or broth), along with the tomato soup and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the ground beef mixture.
- Stir in the milk and room temperature cream cheese.
- Add half of the shredded cheese.
- Reduce the heat to medium and allow the casserole to simmer for a couple of minutes.
- Transfer the pasta and hamburger mixture to a casserole dish.
- Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.
🥄Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Here is what you will need to make this recipe:
- Cutting Board
- Santoku Knife
- Large stock pot
Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of great products to make your life easier! Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama ❤
This cheesy hamburger casserole recipe is always a big hit at my house and I love that it takes only 35 minutes!
🍲 Storage
To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
To Reheat: Microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
To Freeze: Cover the cheeseburger casserole with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Then, place the casserole into a 2-gallon freezer bag. Label with the date and cooking instructions. store in the fridge for 2-3 months.
To Thaw: Allow the casserole to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
📖 Variations
The first time you try any new recipe we recommend that you make it just as it is written on the recipe card since that is how the Cheesy Hamburger Casserole has been tested. However, the next time you make our recipe, you might want to try one of these ideas:
- Substitute sour cream for the cream cheese.
- Instead of elbow macaroni, use egg noodles, penne, or even rice.
- For a leaner dish, use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef.
- Add 1 cup of diced red or green peppers.
- Use tomato sauce instead of tomato soup.
- For a little extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder, or 1 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
I like to serve this hearty meal with a fresh green side salad and some garlic bread. Here are some other side dish ideas:
😋 Similar Recipes
If you love easy dinner recipes, then next time, try one of these delicious ground beef casserole recipes perfect for busy weeknights:
- Chicken Pasta Bake - Creamy pasta, loads of cheese, and tender chunks of chicken in a hot and hearty dish - What could be better?
- Chicken Stuffing Bake - Total comfort food in just 35 minutes. Tastes like a holiday dinner but way easier!
- Hamburger and Potato Casserole - Tender potatoes, savory beef, and a creamy sauce make this cheesy casserole a family favorite!
More Ground Beef Recipes
It's amazing what you can do with a pound of ground beef and a little bit of time! These recipes are great if you have a large family, or like making freezer meals.
Not ready to make these easy hamburger casserole yet?
When you do make it, please come back and comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Equipment
- Large stock pot
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion
- 2 cloves fresh garlic
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 10.5 ounce can tomato soup
- 2 cups beef broth or stock
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup whole milk
- 3½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- salt and black pepper to taste
- parsley optional
Instructions
- In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, cook the diced onions and ground beef.1 lb lean ground beef, 1 small yellow onion
- Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.2 cloves fresh garlic
- Drain excess grease from the beef.
- Add the beef stock (or broth), along with the tomato soup and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper.2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 10.5 ounce can tomato soup, 2 cups beef broth or stock, salt and black pepper
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box.1 lb elbow pasta
- Combine the cooked pasta with the ground beef mixture.
- Stir in the milk and room temperature cream cheese.½ cup whole milk, 4 ounces cream cheese
- Add half of the shredded cheese.3½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Reduce the heat to medium and allow the casserole to simmer for a couple of minutes.
- Transfer the pasta and hamburger mixture to a casserole dish.
- Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.3½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley or diced green onions before serving, if desired.parsley
For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.
Nutrition
Sign up for our emails and never miss another recipe!!
We'll never share your email or send you spam.
We'll never share your email or send you spam.Meal Planning
Want to add this recipe to your meal plan? Download our free printable meal plan here.
This recipe is included in Meal Plan 4 along with:
- 40 clove garlic chicken
- buttery dinner rolls
- chocolate hummus
- waffle fry nachos
- Buffalo chicken soup
- baked spaghetti squash
- crockpot jelly meatballs
- bacon puff pastry twists
... and more!
Be sure to check out all our meal plan ideas here.
Michelle Bauer says
My favorite side is mashed sweet or regular potatoes all whipped & creamy... YUM YUM YUM!!!
Kelly Skibbe says
This looks so amazing! My side to this would either be raw carrots or steamed broccoli since my kids would love that with this! I am bookmarking this to try it out this week! Thanks!
Barbara Ryan says
I like penne pasta and sour cream in my casseroles.
Shakeia Rieux says
I prefer sour cream in casserole recipes.
Sarah Oswald says
My favorite pasta is spaghetti - can I make this with spaghetti instead of elbow macaroni?
Ang Paris says
Yes, any kind of pasta will work in this recipe, Sarah 🙂
MICHAEL CHEVILLOT says
I prefer sour cream instead of cream cheese in casseroles usually, even though both are great.
Leela says
I prefer sour cream in casseroles.
Ang Paris says
You can substitute the cream cheese with sour cream if you want to, Leela 🙂