Go Back

Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

If you're craving the classic flavor of a bacon cheeseburger without all the fuss, this casserole is your new weeknight hero. It combines seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, melty cheeses, and hearty pasta all smothered in a tangy, burger-inspired sauce for a comforting and crowd-pleasing meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef 450g
  • 6 slices turkey bacon chopped; substitute regular bacon if preferred
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided – use half in the mixture and half for topping
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • 3 cups cooked pasta elbow macaroni or rotini
Optional Garnishes
  • sliced pickles for topping
  • diced tomatoes for topping
  • green onions for topping

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Paper towels
  • Mixing bowls
  • Casserole dish
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped turkey bacon until it’s crispy. Once done, transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate, but reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
  3. In the same skillet with the bacon grease, add the ground beef and finely diced onion. Cook over medium heat for about 6-8 minutes, until the ground beef is browned and the onion has softened.
  4. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, yellow mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise. Mix well to combine all the flavors, then remove the skillet from heat.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the beef mixture with the 3 cups of cooked pasta, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and the reserved crispy bacon.
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream (or milk). Pour this egg mixture into the pasta and beef mixture, gently folding to combine and help bind the casserole.
  7. Transfer the entire mixture into a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until the casserole is golden, bubbly, and set.
  9. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with optional sliced pickles, diced tomatoes, and green onions before serving.

Notes

This bacon cheeseburger casserole is extremely versatile. Feel free to switch up the bacon or ground beef for leaner versions or different meats like ground turkey or chicken. You can also experiment with various cheeses such as pepper jack or smoked gouda for an extra flavor twist. Leftovers reheat beautifully, making it a great make-ahead dinner, and serving it with a light green salad or garlic bread makes for a balanced meal.