If a juicy cheeseburger and a cozy casserole had a baby, this would be it. Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole is hearty, creamy, cheesy, and the kind of weeknight comfort food your whole crew will gobble up with zero complaints! This recipe is a crowd-pleaser that comes together fast, uses pantry staples, and bakes up into one big pan of cheesy deliciousness.
It's like hamburger helper, but WAY better-because this one's homemade, hot from the oven, and has a whole lotta love (and cheddar) baked in!
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🍔 Why you'll be hooked after the first bite
This Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole is comfort food with a capital C! It's loaded with flavor from juicy ground beef, creamy cheddar cheese soup, and a splash of evaporated milk to make everything extra velvety. The Rotel gives it just the right amount of kick, and the melted cheese on top? Total showstopper.
It's the kind of casserole that brings everyone to the table fast-because it smells that good. It feeds a crowd, reheats beautifully, and has that nostalgic cheeseburger-meets-mac-and-cheese magic that nobody can resist.
Whether you're cooking for your family or feeding a hungry group on a weeknight, this recipe is always a slam dunk!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card below for the exact measurements for this recipe.
Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound pasta shells
- 10.7 ounce can tomato soup
- 10.7 ounce can cheddar cheese soup
- 10 ounce can Rotel
- 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 1 onion diced
- 1 tablespoon Montreal Steak Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons Worcheshire sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season with salt. Cook the pasta as directed to al dente. Set aside 1 cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta well, set aside.
- In a large frypan over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain well. Add the steak seasoning, and diced onion and saute until the onions are soft and translucent. About 5 minutes.
- Add the tomato soup, cheddar cheese soup, evaporated milk, Worchestshire sauce and half the shredded cheese to the browned ground beef. Stir well to combine.
- Add the cooked pasta shells into the sauce mixture. Stir well to combine. The pasta should be quite saucy. If you want it to be even more creamy, add a ladle or two of pasta water.
- Spoon into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven. If desired, place under the broiler for 1 or 2 minutes to brown the cheese. Garnish with minced parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
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Nutrition
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Absolutely-elbows, penne, rotini-whatever pasta you have will work just fine. Just make sure it's cooked al dente so it doesn't get mushy in the oven.
You can sub in Velveeta, nacho cheese sauce, or even a homemade cheese sauce. But that cheddar cheese soup is the secret shortcut to max flavor with minimal effort.
The Rotel adds a little kick, but it's not overly spicy. For a milder version, use plain diced tomatoes. Want it hotter? Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Deb's top tips
Use lean ground beef so your casserole doesn't get greasy. If you're using higher-fat beef, drain it well before adding the other ingredients.
Garnish with chopped pickles for a true cheeseburger vibe! (Optional… but highly recommended.)
🧀 More cheesy casseroles you'll love
If you're into cheesy, meaty casseroles that bring the family running, try my Cheesy Hamburger Casserole, the ever-popular Ritzy Chicken Casserole, or my Crockpot Lasagna made with ravioli. They're all weeknight winners that serve up serious comfort without complicated steps.
Serving suggestions
Lighten up the meal with a Caesar Salad and a great side dish - Green Beans and Carrots would be terrific and could roast in the oven, while you're baking the dish. A couple other options are Air Fryer Roasted Carrots or Roasted Broccoli and Zucchini. All would be terrific choices!
When casserole makes cheeseburger magic
Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole is the definition of stick-to-your-ribs goodness, and it's picky-eater approved! Make it once, and it'll earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
Give it a try, and if your crew loves it as much as mine does, leave a comment below and hit that five-star rating. Let's keep dinnertime easy and delicious, one cheesy bite at a time!
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