Food and Recipes Dish Casserole Cheeseburger Casserole 4.7 (6) 6 Reviews Skip the drive-thru and satisfy your burger cravings with. thisincredible cheeseburger casserole recipe. By Southern Living Test Kitchen Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on December 9, 2023 Save Rate PRINT Share Active Time: 10 mins Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Yield: Serves 6 (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups) Jump to recipe Our cheeseburger casserole is winter's answer to summertime's backyard cookouts: The dish offers everything you love about a cheeseburger that's fresh off the grill, but you can quickly throw it all together in the comfort of your kitchen, no patty-flipping required. Plus, a cheeseburger casserole is more portable than a platter of burgers, so you can easily ferry it to the basketball team party or deliver it to the sleep-deprived new parents who live down the street. Ground round combined with all the usual suspects (onion, chiles, tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce) creates a satisfying base, but it's the finishing layer of crispy tater tots, two types of cheeses, and thick-cut bacon bits that makes this cheeseburger casserole the ultimate crowd pleaser. Just don't count on having leftovers; this one is sure to disappear the second it hits the table. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Ingredients for Cheeseburger Casserole To make this casserole, you'll need: Olive oil: To brown the meat and onions.Ground round: Lean ground beef; can be substituted with other types of ground beef if preferred.Sweet onion: Builds flavor.Tomato paste: Adds rich flavor and umami to the meat mixture.All-purpose flour: Thickens the saucy beef mixture for a spoonable casserole.Beef broth: The base of the gravy-like sauce that coats the beef.Canned diced tomatoes and green chiles: For a bright kick. Can use standard diced tomatoes if needed.Spicy brown mustard: Adds a punch of tanginess.Worcestershire sauce: Builds umami flavor in the beef mixture.Kosher salt and black pepper: Seasons the beef.Monterey Jack cheese: A mild, buttery flavor. Can substitute with other types of preferred shredded cheeses, including Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, and more.Mild Cheddar cheese: A mildly sharp, classic cheesy flavor.Cooking spray: Keeps the casserole from sticking to the pan.Frozen tater tots: A quick topping that bakes up golden brown, crisp, and delicious.Thick-cut bacon slices: Crumbled over the casserole for a salty bite. Can leave out if preferred.Fresh chives: Adds a bright oniony flavor and pop of color.Ketchup: Optional, for drizzling over the casserole. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox How To Make Cheeseburger Casserole Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started: Step 1. Cook ground round and onion until beef is cooked through and onion is tender. Drain fat from skillet.Step 2. Add tomato paste and cook. Stir in flour and cook. Gradually add broth, and cook until thickened. Step 3. Stir in diced tomatoes and chiles, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Stir in 1/2 cup each of Monterey Jack cheese and Cheddar cheese and stir to melt. Step 4. Spoon into a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish. Step 5. Top evenly with tater tots. Place onto a rimmed baking sheet.Step 6. Bake until bubbly and golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses, and bake until melted. Let stand 10 minutes. Sprinkle with bacon and chives. Drizzle with ketchup, if desired. Can I Make Cheeseburger Casserole Ahead? The ground beef layer of this casserole can be prepared in advance, which makes it perfect for getting ahead of the week, or for dropping off to friends or neighbors. Cool completely before transferring to a greased baking dish. Then wrap and refrigerate for up to two days, or freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen before baking. When ready to bake, top with tots and bake as directed. How To Store and Reheat Leftover Cheeseburger Casserole Although leftovers are unlikely, store leftover cheeseburger casserole in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then reheat in a preheated 350°F oven, covered with foil, until hot throughout before serving. You can also reheat smaller portions in the microwave. What To Serve With Cheeseburger Casserole This twist on classic cheeseburgers doesn't need much for a hearty, satisfying dinner. Serve with a side salad or favorite veggie sides for a complete meal your family will love. More Hearty Casserole Recipes You'll Love There's nothing like a hot casserole to warm and fill you up on cold nights. From beef to chicken casseroles, these dishes are also great make-ahead meals for busy weeks: Chicken Tortilla Casserole Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole King Ranch Chicken Casserole Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Sloppy Joe Casserole Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese Chicken Enchilada Casserole Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 1/2 lbs. ground round 1 cup chopped sweet onion (about 1 small onion) 1 Tbsp. tomato paste 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 cup beef broth 1 (10-oz.) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained 1 Tbsp. spicy brown mustard 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper 4 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (about 1 cup), divided 4 oz. mild Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup), divided Cooking spray 4 cups frozen tater tots (from 1 [32-oz.] pkg.) 4 cooked thick-cut bacon slices, crumbled (about 1/2 cup) Chopped fresh chives Ketchup (optional) Directions Cook ground beef and onions: Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high; add ground round and onion, and cook, stirring often, until beef is crumbled and no longer pink and onion is tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain all fat from skillet, and place over medium. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Add tomato paste, flour, and broth: Add tomato paste to beef mixture in skillet, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Sprinkle beef mixture with flour, and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Gradually add broth, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, 3 to 4 minutes. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Add tomatoes, seasonings, and cheese: Stir in diced tomatoes and chiles, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until mixture begins to simmer, about 2 minutes. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Stir in 1/2 cup each of Monterey Jack cheese and Cheddar cheese, and cook, stirring often, until cheeses melt, 1 to 2 minutes. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Add casserole filling to baking dish: Spoon mixture into a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 11- x 7-inch baking dish. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Top with tots: Top evenly with tater tots. Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Bake casserole: Bake in preheated oven, uncovered, until bubbly around edges and potatoes are golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup each of Monterey Jack cheese and Cheddar cheese, and bake until cheese is melted, about 3 more minutes. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Remove from oven, and let stand 10 minutes. Sprinkle casserole with crumbled bacon, and garnish with chopped chives. Drizzle with ketchup, if desired. Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Frequently Asked Questions Can I use shredded hash browns instead of tater tots for cheeseburger casserole? Although the baking time may vary, hash browns can be used in the place of tater tots for a crispy topping. What else can I add to cheeseburger casserole? From diced bell peppers, to peas, mushrooms, herbs, or spices, feel free to get creative when it comes to mixing in additions to this cheeseburger casserole. Can I make cheeseburger casserole in a slow cooker? To make this casserole in a slow cooker, prepare the beef as directed, then transfer to the slow-cooker. Top with tater tots and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3. The tater tots will not become crisp with this method, but it will still be delicious. Save Rate Print Additional reporting by Katie Rosenhouse Katie Rosenhouse Katie Rosenhouse is a pastry chef and food writer with over 15 years of experience in the culinary arts. She's worked as a pastry chef in some of the finest restaurants in New York City, as a culinary instructor, and as a recipe developer. learn more