Why You’ll Love this Comforting Cheeseburger Casserole
If you’re searching for the ultimate weeknight dinner solution that’ll please even the pickiest eaters, this Cheeseburger Casserole is about to become your new go-to. I love how it transforms classic burger flavors into a hearty, comforting dish without the mess of individual patties.
The combination of seasoned ground beef, melty American cheese, and those buttery biscuits baking to golden perfection around the edges? Pure magic in one dish. The tomato sauce creates that familiar burger sauce tang, while the onions and peppers add just enough veggie goodness. Ready in under an hour, it’s my secret weapon for busy nights.
What Ingredients are in Comforting Cheeseburger Casserole?
This Cheeseburger Casserole brings together all the flavors you love about a classic burger, neatly packaged in a family-friendly casserole format. The ingredients list is straightforward and features items you probably already have in your kitchen, making it perfect for those nights when you need to pull dinner together without an extra trip to the grocery store.
The combination creates that perfect balance of savory meat, tangy sauce, and buttery biscuits that will have everyone asking for seconds.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (16 ounce) can Pillsbury Grands refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (or any large biscuits)
- 6-8 slices American cheese
When shopping for ingredients, I recommend choosing a lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to minimize grease, though regular ground beef works fine too—just be sure to drain it well.
For the cheese, while the recipe calls for American cheese slices, you could also use cheddar if that’s more to your taste.
The refrigerated biscuits are the secret star here, creating that perfect golden crown around your casserole as they bake. Feel free to use whatever brand you prefer, as long as they’re the large size variety to properly line your casserole dish.
How to Make this Comforting Cheeseburger Casserole
Making this cheeseburger casserole is about as straightforward as it gets, perfect for those evenings when you want something hearty without the fuss. Start by browning 1 pound of ground beef in a skillet along with 1/4 cup chopped onion and 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper. This trio creates that classic burger foundation, releasing those mouthwatering aromas that’ll have everyone wandering into the kitchen asking, “When’s dinner ready?”
Once the meat is fully cooked, be sure to drain off any excess fat—nobody wants a greasy casserole, right?
Return your meat mixture to the pan and now it’s time to add the saucy elements: 1 can (8 ounces) of tomato sauce, 1/4 cup ketchup, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir everything together over low heat just long enough to combine all those flavors.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your casserole dish by arranging the large refrigerated biscuits (from a 16-ounce can) around the perimeter, standing them on their edges. This creates that gorgeous crown-like effect that makes this dish so visually appealing. The biscuits will bake up golden and fluffy, providing the perfect vessel for scooping up that cheesy meat filling.
For the final assembly, spoon the meat mixture into the center of your biscuit-lined dish, creating alternating layers of meat with strips of American cheese. Think of it as building flavor in layers, where each bite will have the perfect balance of savory and cheesy goodness.
Top the entire meat mixture with your remaining whole slices of cheese (you’ll need 6-8 slices total), which will melt into a glorious blanket of gooey deliciousness.
Pop the whole thing into your preheated oven and bake until those biscuits turn a beautiful golden brown. The result? A crowd-pleasing casserole that combines all the comfort of a cheeseburger in a fork-friendly format.
Comforting Cheeseburger Casserole Substitutions and Variations
While the classic cheeseburger casserole recipe is already a crowd-pleaser, you can easily customize it to suit your family’s preferences or what’s available in your pantry.
I often swap ground turkey for beef when I’m going lighter, or use pepper jack instead of American cheese for a spicy kick. No biscuits? Try crescent rolls or even tater tots on top.
Mushrooms, diced pickles, or even bacon bits make wonderful additions. My kids love when I sprinkle sesame seeds on the biscuits for that authentic burger feel. Truth is, this recipe is nearly impossible to mess up, even for a kitchen disaster like myself.
What to Serve with Comforting Cheeseburger Casserole
Three perfect side dishes can transform your cheeseburger casserole from a simple weeknight dinner to a complete meal.
I love pairing mine with a crisp garden salad tossed in ranch dressing, those cool, fresh vegetables perfectly balancing the rich, cheesy goodness.
Steamed green beans with a touch of garlic butter add color and nutrition without competing for attention.
And who could forget classic dill pickle spears? They bring that tangy crunch you’d expect from an actual burger experience.
Want to go all-in on the theme? Try some sweet potato fries on the side—they’re healthier than regular fries but just as satisfying.
Final Thoughts
This cheeseburger casserole has become my go-to recipe whenever I need comfort food that satisfies the whole family.
There’s something magical about those golden biscuits surrounding a hearty beef filling, all topped with gooey American cheese. I’ve served it countless times, and those empty plates speak volumes.
What I love most? The simplicity.
Just brown your beef with veggies, mix in the sauces, arrange those biscuits, layer with cheese, and bake until bubbly.
Twenty minutes of prep for a meal that tastes like Sunday dinner any day of the week.
Pure comfort in casserole form.
Cheeseburger Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and bell pepper until the meat is no longer pink.
- Drain any excess fat from the meat mixture and return to the pan.
- Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, and black pepper to the meat mixture. Stir to combine and heat through on low heat.
- Arrange the refrigerated biscuits around the perimeter of a casserole dish, standing them on their edges to create a crown-like border.
- Spoon half of the meat mixture into the center of the biscuit-lined dish.
- Layer half of the cheese slices over the meat mixture, tearing them into strips if needed for even coverage.
- Add the remaining meat mixture on top of the cheese layer.
- Cover the entire meat mixture with the remaining cheese slices to create a top layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
