Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

Let’s talk about a dinner that solves the eternal “what to cook” question with a massive, satisfying grin. This Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is the ingenious weeknight hero you didn’t know you needed.

It captures every last bit of that classic drive-thru joy—the savory beef, the smoky bacon, the melty cheese—and bakes it into a creamy, comforting pasta dish.

It’s a one-pan wonder that delivers pure, uncomplicated happiness to your table. My family goes absolutely quiet when this comes out of the oven, and that, to me, is the highest compliment. I’m Kelsey, and this is the kind of recipe I turn to when life is busy but dinner still needs to be great.

Why This Casserole Just Works

The magic is all in the familiar flavors coming together in a new, wonderfully convenient form. You’re essentially building a creamy, cheeseburger-inspired sauce right in your skillet. It starts with a base of browned beef and onions, seasoned with those iconic burger condiments—ketchup and mustard.

Then, a simple flour-and-broth mixture transforms it into a luscious, velvety sauce that clings to every piece of pasta. Stir in a mountain of cheddar, fold in crispy bacon, and bake until golden and bubbly. The final fresh toppings of tomato and green onion are the perfect, cool crunch on top. It’s nostalgic, it’s hearty, and it just plain works.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

Here’s your shopping list for this flavor-packed dish. Most of these are pantry staples, which makes it even easier to pull together on a whim.

• Elbow Pasta: The classic choice, it holds the sauce beautifully. Cook it just shy of al dente to avoid mushiness in the oven.
• Thick-Cut Bacon: For the best smoky flavor and satisfying crunch. The fat also adds incredible depth to the whole dish.
• Ground Beef: The star of any good cheeseburger. I use an 80/20 blend for the best flavor.
• Yellow Onion & Garlic: The aromatic foundation that builds so much savory flavor into the beef.
• Ketchup & Yellow Mustard: Don’t skip these! They add that subtle, tangy background note that screams “cheeseburger.”
• Smoked Paprika: A tiny bit adds a warm, smoky undertone that complements the bacon perfectly.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is our thickener, it helps create the creamy sauce base.
• Beef Broth & Whole Milk: The liquid duo for our sauce. The broth adds rich savoriness, while the milk brings creaminess.
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Divided use is key—some melted into the sauce, some sprinkled on top for that glorious golden crust.
• Diced Tomato & Chopped Green Onions: The fresh, cool garnish that makes each bite complete.

How to make Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole?

Step 1- Prep Your Components

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow pasta until it’s about one minute *before* it reaches al dente.

Drain it and give it a quick rinse under cool water to stop the cooking. This little step ensures your pasta stays perfectly textured after its time in the oven. Set it aside for now.

Step 2- Cook the Bacon & Beef

While the pasta cooks, lay your bacon slices in a large, cold skillet. Turn the heat to medium and cook until wonderfully crispy on both sides.

Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once it’s cool enough to handle, chop it into small, bite-sized pieces. Carefully drain the bacon grease from the skillet, but you can leave just a teaspoon for cooking the beef if you like.

Step 3- Build the Flavor Base

In that same skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking the meat up with your spoon, until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains.

Now, stir in the minced garlic, ketchup, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let those aromatics wake up and mingle for about a minute. The smell at this stage is absolutely intoxicating.

Step 4- Create the Creamy Sauce

Sprinkle the flour evenly over the beef mixture. Stir constantly for a full minute—you want to cook out that raw flour taste. No white streaks should remain.

Slowly pour in the beef broth and milk while continuing to stir. This prevents any lumps from forming. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3-4 minutes; you’ll see it start to thicken nicely into a rich, gravy-like sauce.

Step 5- Bring It All Together

Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in one cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s completely melted and smooth. This creates an ultra-cheesy sauce base.

Gently fold in the cooked, cooled pasta and half of your chopped bacon. Make sure every noodle is coated in that glorious, beefy, cheesy sauce.

Step 6- Bake to Perfection

Pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Top it with the remaining cup of cheese and the rest of the bacon pieces.

Bake, uncovered, for 18-20 minutes. You’re looking for a bubbly casserole with a beautifully melted, slightly golden cheese topping.

Step 7- Garnish and Serve

Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This allows everything to set just a bit, making it easier to serve.

Right before dishing it up, scatter the diced tomato and chopped green onions over the top. Grab a big spoon, and dive into the ultimate comfort food experience.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve With It

While this casserole is a hearty meal all on its own, a simple side can round everything out. A crisp, green salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully. Garlic bread or a simple, crusty baguette is also fantastic for sopping up any stray bits of sauce.

For an even easier route, a bag of steam-in-the-bag green beans or broccoli works wonders. The goal is to keep it simple and let the casserole remain the undeniable star of the show.

Tips

• For the best bacon texture, cook it fresh. Baking it on a foil-lined sheet at 400°F for 15-20 minutes is a hands-off, less-mess method.
• Don’t overcook the pasta initially. Rinsing it with cool water immediately after draining halts the cooking process effectively.
• Feel free to customize your “burger” toppings. A handful of diced dill pickles or a sprinkle of sesame seeds stirred in at the end can be a fun twist.
• This dish is a fantastic make-ahead option. Assemble it completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to a day before baking (add 5-10 extra minutes to the bake time).
• Leftovers reheat wonderfully. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Simple Swaps and Variations

This recipe is wonderfully forgiving and adaptable. If you want to lighten it up, lean ground turkey or chicken works perfectly in place of the beef. You can also swap the pork bacon for turkey bacon, though the flavor will be milder.

Experiment with different pasta shapes, too. Small shells, rotini, or penne all hold sauce wonderfully. For the cheese, a Monterey Jack blend adds a creamier melt, while a bit of Pepper Jack brings a subtle, welcome heat.

Print Recipe

Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

Author: Kelsey Perez Cooking Method: Baking Cuisine: American Courses: Dinner, Lunch

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 20 mins Rest Time 5 mins Total Time 45 mins

Cooking Temp: 375  F Servings: 6 Estimated Cost: $ 15 Calories: 580

Best Season: Fall, Winter, Spring

Description

Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole has all the flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger packed into a creamy, cheesy, hearty baked pasta casserole! A comfort food casserole that takes everything you love about a juicy bacon cheeseburger—savory beef, smoky bacon, melty cheddar cheese, and that tangy hint of ketchup and mustard—and turns it into a creamy, baked pasta dish that’s a total family favorite.

Ingredients

Servings

• 8 ounces elbow pasta (½ of a 16-ounce box, measured before cooking)
• 8 slices thick cut bacon
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tablespoons ketchup
• 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (can use regular paprika)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 1 cup beef broth (low sodium preferred)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided use)
• ¼ cup diced tomato (for garnish)
• ¼ cup chopped green onions (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by spraying well with cooking spray.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow pasta just before al dente. Drain and rinse under cool water. Set aside.
3. While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate, let cool, then chop into small pieces. Drain excess grease from skillet.
4. In the same skillet, add ground beef and diced onion. Cook over medium heat until beef is browned and no longer pink, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
5. Add minced garlic, ketchup, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
6. Slowly pour in beef broth and milk while stirring constantly. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Add cooked pasta and half the chopped bacon; stir to combine.
8. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and bacon.
9. Bake uncovered for 18–20 minutes, until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbling.
10. Let rest for 5 minutes. Top with diced tomato and green onions before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 580kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 32gg50%

Saturated Fat 15gg75%

Trans Fat 1gg

Cholesterol 95mgmg32%

Sodium 820mgmg35%

Potassium 560mgmg16%

Total Carbohydrate 42gg15%

Dietary Fiber 2gg8%

Sugars 6gg

Protein 30gg60%

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Calcium 25 mg

Iron 15 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• For best results with elbow pasta, cook it slightly under al dente and rinse with cool water to prevent overcooking in the oven.
• You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef if desired.
• Leftovers store well for up to 3 days in the fridge or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Optional toppings: pickles, lettuce, sesame seeds.

Keywords: bacon cheeseburger casserole, cheeseburger pasta bake, ground beef casserole, comfort food casserole, easy weeknight dinner