Easy Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole: Your Ultimate Weeknight Dinner Recipe
It truly doesn’t get much more delicious or satisfying than this incredible Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole! This simple, hearty dish is a fantastic twist on a beloved American classic, offering all the savory flavors of a cheeseburger, combined with the comforting embrace of pasta and cheese. Best of all, it’s designed for busy weeknights, cooking up in less than 30 minutes. Say goodbye to complicated dinner plans and hello to a new family favorite!
Why This Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe is a Must-Try
This Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary triumph for busy households! It consistently earns rave reviews and easily becomes a real crowd-pleaser. Beyond its irresistible flavor, there are several compelling reasons why this recipe stands out:
- Incredibly Simple & Fast: Forget complicated steps or long cooking times. You can truly throw this dish together with minimal effort, and have it hot and ready to serve in less than thirty minutes from start to finish. It’s the ideal solution for those hectic weeknights when time is precious.
- Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: Chances are, most of the ingredients you need for this casserole are already staples in your pantry and fridge. Ground beef, pasta, cheese, and bacon are common items, making it easy to whip up without a special trip to the grocery store.
- Fantastic Leftovers: This casserole keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for several days. It reheats wonderfully, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors meld together. It’s perfect for meal prepping or enjoying a quick lunch.
- A Unique Twist on a Classic: It takes the beloved flavors of a bacon cheeseburger – the savory beef, the smoky bacon, the melted cheese – and transforms them into a comforting pasta casserole. It’s familiar yet exciting, making it appealing to both kids and adults.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with affordable ingredients, this recipe stretches your dollar, providing a satisfying meal for the whole family without breaking the bank.
This casserole has proven to be just as popular as other well-loved family meals like my John Wayne Casserole and classic Shepherd’s Pie, which I prepare regularly. Its consistent success is a testament to its deliciousness and ease.
Key Ingredients for Your Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients that deliver maximum flavor. You can find all specific measurements and detailed instructions in the printable version of the recipe card located at the end of this post. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
Ground Beef
BEEF – We prefer using lean ground beef for this casserole. It browns beautifully and provides that classic savory flavor without excessive grease. However, this recipe is incredibly versatile! Feel free to substitute with ground chicken, turkey, or even ground pork if you prefer a different flavor profile or are looking for a lighter option. Just ensure it’s thoroughly cooked.
Cheese Varieties
CHEESE – The cheesy goodness is a cornerstone of any good casserole! We highly recommend grating your own mozzarella and cheddar cheese from blocks. Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly and offers a creamier consistency because it doesn’t contain the anti-caking additives often found in store-bought pre-shredded varieties. These additives can sometimes make melted cheese grainy. For an extra layer of flavor, consider using a blend of sharp cheddar and mild mozzarella, or even add a touch of Colby Jack or Monterey Jack for a different melty texture.
Other Essential Ingredients
- Elbow Macaroni: The classic choice for casseroles, it holds the sauce perfectly. Any small pasta shape like ditalini or small shells would also work.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon bits are key for that authentic cheeseburger experience. Cook it to your desired crispiness!
- Beef Broth: Forms the base of our savory sauce, adding depth of flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A secret weapon for umami flavor, enhancing the beefiness.
- Ketchup: Adds a touch of sweetness and tang, reminiscent of a classic burger.
- Cornstarch: Our thickening agent, ensuring a perfectly rich and velvety sauce.
How to Make Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole: Step-by-Step
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize how to prepare this delicious recipe. For the printable version, complete with all measurements and full instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Cook the Bacon: Start by cooking your bacon until it’s perfectly crispy. I find that baking it on a sheet pan in the oven yields consistently crisp results with less mess, but feel free to cook it in a skillet on the stovetop if that’s your preference. Once cooked, drain the bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease, then chop or crumble it into small pieces. Set aside these flavorful bacon bits – they’re crucial for that authentic cheeseburger taste!
- Cook the Macaroni: While your bacon is cooking, prepare your elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well once cooked and set aside.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, brown the lean ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s fully cooked through and no longer pink. If you notice a significant amount of fat or liquid remaining after cooking, feel free to drain off some of it. I personally prefer to use lean beef and leave a little bit of the rendered juice, as it contributes to the rich flavor of the casserole.
- Prepare the Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl or measuring jug, combine the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup. Stir these ingredients together until well combined. In a separate small bowl, place the cornstarch and add a tablespoon or two of the prepared broth mixture. Stir this until the cornstarch is completely dissolved and forms a smooth slurry. This crucial step prevents the cornstarch from clumping when added to the hot skillet. Now, add this cornstarch slurry back into the rest of the broth mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Combine Ingredients in Skillet: Add the drained cooked pasta to the skillet with the browned beef. Pour in the prepared beef broth and cornstarch mixture. Next, fold in the crispy, chopped bacon pieces. Stir all the ingredients thoroughly until the beef, pasta, bacon, and savory sauce are evenly combined and coated.
- Thicken the Sauce: Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to bubble and thickens to your desired consistency. The cornstarch will work its magic quickly. If the sauce becomes too thick for your liking, you can easily thin it out by adding a splash more beef broth until it reaches the perfect texture.
- Melt the Cheese: Once the sauce is perfectly thickened, generously sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the entire top of the skillet cheeseburger mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to very low. Allow it to cook for just 2-3 minutes, or until all the cheese has beautifully melted into a gooey, irresistible layer.
- Serve Hot: Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, your Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is ready to be devoured! Serve it hot, perhaps garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dash of your favorite burger toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success
This Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is a fantastic base for customization! Our readers have had great success enhancing the flavor with various additions. Consider incorporating aromatic seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or a dedicated hamburger seasoning blend directly into the ground beef as it browns. For fresh flavor, sauté diced yellow or red onions, green bell peppers, or minced fresh garlic with the ground beef. If you’re craving a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or finely diced jalapeños would make a great addition, stirred in with the sauce mixture.
Absolutely! Making this bacon cheeseburger casserole suitable for dietary restrictions is quite simple. To make it gluten-free, substitute regular elbow macaroni with your favorite gluten-free pasta brand – ensuring it’s cooked according to its package directions. Additionally, always double-check that your beef broth and Worcestershire sauce are certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain hidden gluten. For those who are dairy-free, you can easily use a shredded vegan cheese substitute. Many high-quality dairy-free cheese alternatives melt beautifully in this recipe, yielding a similarly creamy and cheesy result.
Storing and reheating this casserole is a breeze! You can store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, the pasta can sometimes absorb a lot of the sauce, making the dish a bit dry. To combat this, I recommend adding a tablespoon or two of water or extra beef broth to the portion you’re reheating. This helps restore moisture and ensures a creamy texture. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or larger amounts in a covered skillet on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through.
Yes, you can certainly do some prep work ahead! You can cook the bacon and chop it, and brown the ground beef. Store these components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When you’re ready to make the casserole, simply cook the pasta, prepare the sauce, and combine everything in the skillet as directed in the recipe. This will significantly cut down on your active cooking time on a busy night.
A large, heavy-bottomed skillet is ideal for this recipe. Cast iron skillets are excellent as they distribute heat evenly and retain it well, which is perfect for browning the beef and melting the cheese. A large stainless steel or non-stick skillet will also work wonderfully, just ensure it’s at least 10-12 inches in diameter to comfortably hold all the ingredients.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Casserole
This Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of simple side dishes to create a well-rounded dinner. Here are some ideas to complement its rich flavors:
- Fresh Green Salad: A crisp, light salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty casserole.
- Steamed Vegetables: Simple steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus offer a healthy and easy side.
- Garlic Bread or Dinner Rolls: Perfect for soaking up any extra delicious sauce.
- Pickle Spears or Dill Relish: To lean into the “cheeseburger” aspect, offer some tangy pickles on the side.
- Our Crockpot Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus: Make a fantastic and comforting side for this recipe.
In summary, this Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is quick, easy, and utilizes ingredients you most likely already have on hand to create a truly delicious weeknight meal that’s both budget-friendly and incredibly filling. It’s the perfect comfort food for any season!
More Irresistible Dinner Recipes to Explore
If you loved this comforting casserole, you’re in for a treat! Here are more of our favorite family-friendly dinner recipes that are sure to become staples in your kitchen:
- Crockpot Roast Beef – Amanda’s Cookin’
- Oven Chili Dogs– Amanda’s Cookin’
- Southwest Ground Beef Casserole – Amanda’s Cookin’
- One Pan Beef Stroganoff – Noshtastic (Quick and flavorful!)
- Crockpot Beef Burgundy – Amanda’s Cookin’
- BBQ Chicken Tater Tot Skillet– Amanda’s Cookin’
- One Pot Chili Pasta – Kids Activities Blog (Another simple one-pot wonder!)
- Explore all my Macaroni and Cheese recipes here for more cheesy delights.
- This is my favorite meatloaf recipe in the world – seriously, give it a try!
- Crockpot John Wayne Casserole – Amanda’s Cookin’
- Chicken Stuffing Casserole – Amanda’s Cookin’
- 7 Layer Casserole – Amanda’s Cookin’
- Dorito Casserole – Amanda’s Cookin’
- Ground Beef Stroganoff – Amanda’s Cookin’
I absolutely adore cooking and baking, and I love sharing my kitchen adventures and tested recipes with all of you! Remembering to come back each day for new ideas can be tough, which is why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe to start receiving your free daily recipes directly in your inbox!
Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It
Rate It
Save ItSaved!
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 6 strips bacon cooked and cut into pieces
- 1 ½ cup beef broth
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch may use less
- 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup
- 2 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup
Things You’ll Need
-
Large skillet
-
Measuring cups and spoons
-
Cheese grater
Before You Begin
- You can store this casserole in an air tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Try adding a little bit of water when reheating to add moisture back to the dish.
Instructions
-
Cook the bacon first, I prefer to cook it on a sheet pan in the oven until it’s crispy but you can cook it whatever way you prefer. Drain it on paper towels and cut it or break it into small pieces and set aside.
-
Cook your macaroni according to directions on the pack, then drain.
-
While the macaroni is cooking brown the beef in a large skillet until fully cooked. If after cooking the beef has a lot of fat/liquid/juice left you can pour some of that off, I prefer to use lean beef and keep some of the juice as I think it adds to the flavor.
-
Measure the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and cornstarch into a small bowl or measuring jug and mix well to combine the cornstarch.
-
Add cooked pasta to the skillet along with the beef broth mixture, stir well to combine beef, pasta, bacon, and sauce.
-
Cook on a medium heat until the sauce bubbles and thickens. If it’s too thick for you, thin it out with a little more beef broth.
-
Sprinkle shredded cheeses over the top of the skillet cheeseburger mixture.
-
Cover and cook on very low heat until cheese has melted, about 2-3 minutes.
-
Serve hot.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on Sept. 4, 2018 and has since been updated with new photos and expanded content to provide even more value and make your cooking experience better than ever.