Hamburger Casserole Recipes 11 Cozy Cheesy Weeknight Dinners

Q: What is Dolly Parton casserole?

Dolly Parton's casserole is a famously easy, 5-ingredient comfort food dish. It's made by combining browned ground beef with a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), a packet of dry onion soup mix, and a topping of shredded cheddar cheese. It’s baked until hot and bubbly and beloved for its simplicity and rich, savory flavor.

Q: Why is it called John Wayne casserole?

The John Wayne Casserole is named after the legendary actor, who supposedly contributed the recipe to a 1979 cookbook titled 'Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends.' The original recipe featured a biscuit crust topped with layers of taco-seasoned ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, and a savory egg and sour cream mixture, creating a hearty, Southwestern-style dish.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when making a ground beef casserole?

The most common mistakes are not draining the fat from the ground beef, which makes the casserole greasy, and overcooking the pasta before baking, which results in a mushy texture. Always cook pasta al dente (2 minutes less than package directions). Another mistake is not seasoning each layer, which can lead to a bland final dish. Season the beef, sauce, and even the pasta water for the best flavor.

Stuck wondering what to make for dinner again? The cycle of finding meals that are quick, affordable, and something the whole family will actually eat can feel relentless. If you’re tired of the same old spaghetti and tacos on repeat, you’ve come to the right place.

The 5 PM scramble is real, and the pressure to deliver a satisfying meal night after night can take the joy out of cooking. You need a solution that doesn’t involve a dozen complicated steps or ingredients you can’t pronounce. You’re looking for simple, comforting, and delicious—a true weeknight winner.

Hamburger casserole recipes are the ultimate weeknight dinner solution. Combining affordable ground beef with pasta, potatoes, or rice and a cheesy topping, these one-dish meals are simple to prepare, incredibly versatile, and deliver old-fashioned comfort food the whole family will love.

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Stuck in a Weeknight Dinner Rut? Discover Your New Family Favorite

Let’s be honest: weeknight dinner fatigue is a real thing. Finding inspiration after a long day can be tough, and it’s easy to fall back on the same handful of meals. That’s where the magic of the hamburger casserole comes in. It’s the perfect hero for your weekly meal plan—a one-dish wonder that combines budget-friendly ground beef with hearty starches and savory sauces, all baked under a glorious blanket of melted cheese.

These aren’t just meals; they’re warm, comforting hugs in a baking dish. They’re the kind of simple ground beef recipes that bring everyone to the table without any fuss. Whether you’re craving the nostalgia of a classic noodle bake or the zesty fun of a taco casserole, there’s a recipe here to solve your dinner dilemma. As a busy home cook myself, I know the 5 PM scramble is real. These are the tried-and-true casserole recipes my family asks for again and again, updated for 2025.

11 Cozy & Cheesy Hamburger Casserole Recipes for Easy Dinners

Ready to find your next go-to dinner? This list has something for every taste and every pantry. From creamy pasta-based classics to potato-topped bakes and even low-carb options, these recipes are designed for real life. Each one has been selected for its simplicity, flavor, and rave reviews from home cooks. We’ve included simple, step-by-step instructions perfect for any skill level, along with pro tips to guarantee success every time.

Classic Cheeseburger Casserole
Grandma’s Hamburger Noodle Casserole
Hearty Hamburger Potato Casserole
Kid-Friendly Tater Tot Casserole
Creamy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
Weeknight Taco Casserole Bake
Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole
Easy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef
Sloppy Joe Casserole
“Unstuffed” Pepper Casserole
Simple Keto Hamburger Casserole (No Pasta)

1. Classic Cheeseburger Casserole

This dish delivers all the savory, cheesy flavor of a classic cheeseburger in a simple, one-pot casserole format that’s perfect for a family dinner. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings together tender macaroni, seasoned ground beef, and a rich tomato-cheese sauce.

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 cup chopped onion, 2 cloves garlic, 8 oz elbow macaroni (cooked), 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tbsp mustard, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, chopped dill pickles (optional).
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brown the ground beef with onion and garlic; drain fat.
2. Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper.
3. Combine the meat sauce with the cooked macaroni in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
4. Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Top with chopped pickles before serving.

Pro-Tip: For an authentic “secret sauce” flavor, stir 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise or Thousand Island dressing into the sauce mixture before baking.

Pin this recipe for your next family dinner night!

2. Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Hamburger Noodle Casserole

This recipe is pure, old-fashioned comfort food in a dish. It uses simple pantry staples like egg noodles and cream of mushroom soup to create a creamy, savory, and deeply nostalgic meal that tastes just like childhood.

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 8 oz egg noodles (cooked), 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned; drain.
2. In a large bowl, combine the beef mixture, cooked egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, and sour cream. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Pour the mixture into a 2-quart baking dish.
4. Top with shredded cheese.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.

Lesson Learned: Don’t overcook the egg noodles initially. Cook them 2 minutes less than the package directions (al dente), as they will continue to cook in the oven and absorb the sauce.

Save this classic comfort food recipe to your ‘Family Favorites’ board!

3. Hearty Hamburger Potato Casserole

This is a wonderfully hearty and satisfying casserole that uses layers of thinly sliced potatoes instead of pasta. It’s a complete meal that combines seasoned ground beef and tender potatoes in a rich, cheesy cream sauce.

Ingredients: 1.5 lbs ground beef, 1 large onion (chopped), 4 medium potatoes (peeled and thinly sliced), 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of cheddar soup, 1/2 cup milk, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brown ground beef with onion in a skillet; drain fat and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the soup and milk until smooth.
3. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer half of the sliced potatoes, then half of the beef mixture, and half of the cheese.
4. Pour half of the soup mixture over the layers. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, beef, and soup mixture.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil, top with the remaining cheese, and bake for another 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender and cheese is bubbly.

Pro-Tip: Use a mandoline slicer for uniformly thin potato slices. This ensures they cook evenly and become perfectly tender throughout the casserole.

Looking for a potato-packed dinner? Pin this now!

4. Kid-Friendly Tater Tot Casserole (Cowboy Casserole)

This Tater Tot Casserole is a guaranteed dinner win for picky eaters and hungry adults alike. Often called Cowboy Casserole, it features a savory, taco-seasoned beef and corn filling topped with a layer of crispy, golden-brown tater tots and melted cheese.

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 packet taco seasoning, 1 can (15 oz) corn (drained), 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, 1 bag (16 oz) frozen tater tots.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brown ground beef in a skillet; drain fat. Stir in taco seasoning.
2. Spread the seasoned beef in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
3. In a bowl, mix the corn, soup, sour cream, and 1 cup of cheese. Spread this mixture over the beef.
4. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes until bubbly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and bake for another 5 minutes until melted.

Pro-Tip: For extra crispy tater tots, bake the casserole for the initial 30 minutes, then switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes (watch carefully!) to get the top perfectly golden and crunchy.

The kids will love this! Save this Tater Tot Casserole recipe for a guaranteed dinner win.

5. Creamy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole

This is the perfect one-dish meal when you want something gluten-free friendly and incredibly comforting. Cooked rice, lean ground beef, and mixed vegetables come together in a velvety sauce made from beef broth and cream cheese for a complete and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef, 1 cup chopped onion, 1.5 cups cooked long-grain white rice, 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed beef broth, 4 oz cream cheese (softened), 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brown ground beef with onion in a large skillet; drain.
2. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and softened cream cheese until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
3. Stir in the cooked rice, frozen vegetables, and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
5. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melted.

Lesson Learned: Use day-old, cold cooked rice if possible. Just like with fried rice, it’s less sticky and will incorporate into the sauce more evenly without getting mushy.

Pin this one-dish wonder for an easy, gluten-free friendly dinner!

6. Weeknight Taco Casserole Bake

This recipe captures all the festive flavors of tacos in an easy-to-assemble, layered casserole. With seasoned ground beef, refried beans, salsa, and crunchy tortilla chips baked under a blanket of melted cheese, it’s a perfect pick for Taco Tuesday or any night you need a fun, fast meal.

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 packet taco seasoning, 2/3 cup water, 1 can (16 oz) refried beans, 1 cup salsa, 4 cups crushed tortilla chips, 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend. Toppings: sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook ground beef until browned; drain. Add taco seasoning and water, and simmer for 5 minutes.
2. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread the refried beans in an even layer.
3. Top the beans with the seasoned ground beef.
4. Spread the salsa over the beef, then layer with the crushed tortilla chips.
5. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.

Pro-Tip: For a less soggy chip layer, use sturdier restaurant-style tortilla chips and add them in the last 10 minutes of baking, just before adding the final cheese layer.

Ditch the shells and pin this easy Taco Casserole for Tuesday!

7. Dolly Parton’s Famous 5-Ingredient Casserole

This casserole is famous for its incredible simplicity and huge flavor, using just five common pantry ingredients. It’s a rich, savory, and cheesy bake that proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients to make a truly comforting and delicious meal.

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup, 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained), 1 packet (1 oz) dry onion soup mix, 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brown the ground beef in a skillet; drain thoroughly.
2. In a bowl, combine the cooked beef, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and the dry onion soup mix.
3. Stir until everything is well combined.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased 8×8 inch baking dish.
5. Top with the shredded cheddar cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Lesson Learned: This casserole is fantastic served over potatoes or noodles, but for a true 5-ingredient meal, it’s rich and flavorful enough to eat with a fork right out of the bowl. Don’t drain the can of tomatoes and chilies—that liquid is key to the sauce’s consistency.

Five ingredients to dinner! Save this famously easy recipe.

8. Easy Baked Ziti with Ground Beef

A classic Italian-American comfort food, this Easy Baked Ziti is a hearty, cheesy, and satisfying pasta bake perfect for feeding a crowd. Layers of ziti pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella make it an irresistible family favorite.

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 lb ziti pasta, 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce, 15 oz ricotta cheese, 1 egg (lightly beaten), 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti according to package directions until al dente. Brown ground beef; drain.
2. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, and a pinch of Italian seasoning.
3. In a separate large bowl, combine the cooked ziti, ground beef, and marinara sauce.
4. Spread half of the ziti mixture in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the top. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella.
5. Repeat the layers. Bake for 20 minutes covered with foil, then uncovered for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.

Pro-Tip: Mixing a lightly beaten egg into the ricotta cheese acts as a binder. It helps the ricotta layer stay creamy and distinct instead of melting away into the sauce.

Bring Italy to your kitchen! Pin this easy Baked Ziti recipe.

9. Sloppy Joe Casserole with Biscuit Topping

Turn your favorite messy sandwich into a fun, fork-and-knife casserole with a fluffy biscuit topping. This dish combines a sweet and savory sloppy joe filling with a cheesy layer, all baked under golden-brown refrigerated biscuits for a unique and hearty meal.

Ingredients: 1.5 lbs ground beef, 1 large onion (chopped), 1 green bell pepper (chopped), 1 can (15 oz) sloppy joe sauce, 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and bell pepper until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender; drain.
2. Stir in the sloppy joe sauce and bring to a simmer.
3. Pour the meat mixture into an ungreased 9-inch square baking dish or deep-dish pie plate. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
4. Separate the biscuit dough and arrange the biscuits in a single layer over the cheese.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through.

Lesson Learned: Don’t overcrowd the biscuits on top. Leave a little space between them so they have room to rise and bake evenly, ensuring no doughy centers.

Your favorite sandwich is now a casserole! Save this recipe for a fun dinner twist.

10. “Unstuffed” Pepper Casserole

Enjoy all the classic flavor of stuffed peppers without any of the tedious prep work. This easy casserole combines ground beef, rice, chopped bell peppers, and a rich tomato sauce, all topped with melted provolone cheese for a simple, wholesome meal.

Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef, 1 large onion (chopped), 2 large bell peppers (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (undrained), 1.5 cups cooked rice, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 cup shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brown ground beef with onion, bell peppers, and garlic in a large skillet; drain.
2. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cooked rice, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer.
3. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. Top evenly with the shredded cheese.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until hot and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Pro-Tip: To deepen the flavor, roast the chopped bell peppers in the oven for 15 minutes before adding them to the skillet. This brings out their natural sweetness.

All the flavor, none of the fuss. Pin this easy Unstuffed Pepper Casserole!

11. Simple Keto Hamburger Casserole (No Pasta)

This casserole is a cheesy, satisfying, and delicious low-carb dinner solution. By swapping pasta for cauliflower rice and using a rich cream cheese sauce, you get all the comforting goodness of a traditional hamburger bake without the carbs, making it perfect for a keto lifestyle.

Ingredients: 1.5 lbs ground beef, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 2 cups steamed cauliflower rice, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brown the ground beef with the onion in a skillet; drain fat. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the cream cheese and heavy cream until a smooth, creamy sauce forms.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the steamed cauliflower rice and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
5. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is melted.

Lesson Learned: Ensure your steamed cauliflower rice is as dry as possible. After steaming, press it between paper towels to remove excess moisture. This prevents the casserole from becoming watery.

Sticking to low-carb? Pin this delicious Keto Casserole recipe now!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Perfect Hamburger Casseroles

The Holy Trinity: Nearly every great hamburger casserole starts with the same base: browned ground beef, a starch (pasta, potatoes, rice), and a binder (soup, sauce, cream).
Make it Ahead: Most of these recipes are perfect for meal prep. Assemble the casserole (without baking), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Don’t Fear Swaps: Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef, use different pasta shapes, or switch up the cheeses based on what you have on hand.
Balance the Meal: While many casseroles are a meal in one, serving them with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables creates a perfectly balanced and satisfying dinner.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it—11 ways to turn a simple pound of ground beef into a warm, cheesy, and unforgettable meal. These hamburger casserole recipes are more than just dinner; they’re the cozy, comforting dishes that bring everyone to the table. We hope you’ve found a new weeknight hero for your recipe collection!

Which one are you most excited to try first? Let us know in the comments below